The Chief of the Pelungu Traditional Area in the Nabdam District, Naab Serig Sore IV has been adjudged the Overall Best Farmer in the Upper East Region at the 2025 Regional Farmers’ Day celebration.
The colourful ceremony, held at the Bolgatanga Senior High School in the Talensi District, drew farmers, traditional authorities, government officials, and development partners from across the region to celebrate excellence in agriculture.
Naab Sobil IV, aged 61, distinguished himself with a vast and well-structured agricultural enterprise that currently employs 20 permanent staff and 60 casual labourers. His extensive farm features a diverse range of crops, including 500 acres of maize, 150 acres of millet, 55 acres of sorghum, 50 acres of rice, 40 acres of soybean, 20 acres of groundnut, and 10 acres of cowpea
In addition to crop production, the Pelungu chief manages one of the region’s most diversified livestock operations. His stock includes 380 cattle, 150 sheep, 350 goats, 135 pigs, 820 guinea fowls, and 497 fowls, underscoring his exceptional commitment to improving food security and economic stability in the area.
For emerging as the region’s best farmer, Naab Sobil IV received a package of prizes comprising a tricycle, two cutlasses, a pair of Wellington boots, a knapsack sprayer, 14 bags of NPK fertilizer, and a standing fan.
In his acceptance speech, he expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Upper East Regional Minister, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government, and President John Dramani Mahama for honouring the contributions of farmers nationwide.
“I am very proud to be associated with this year’s 41st National Farmers’ Day,” he said. “I started farming at a young age, and today my hard work has been acknowledged.”
He, however, used the occasion to highlight key challenges facing farmers, particularly the lack of ready markets for produce and the wide disparity between farm-gate prices and consumer prices.
“It is not easy when your farm produce is ready, yet you cannot find a market,” he lamented. “A bag of maize may sell for GH₵300 or GH₵400, but one ball of kenkey sells for GH₵5 or GH₵7. How many balls of kenkey can one bag of maize produce? We, the farmers, are suffering.”
Naab Sobil IV stressed that government initiatives such as Feed Ghana, Eat Ghana, Secure the Future can only succeed with sufficient support for farmers.
“I appeal to the government to take a serious look at these issues so that we can also contribute effectively. Everyone eats food, and all of it comes from the hard work of a farmer,” he added.
The Pelungu Chief also extended appreciation to his fellow farmers, the Regional Minister, and the media, urging farmers across the region to continue advocating for better conditions and improved recognition of their role in national development.
Source: BlueWaves Radio 93.7 FM | Maurice Duncan
