Food is the first medicine, a medical doctor and an associate professor of clinical microbiology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences of the University for Development Studies (UDS), Professor Ziem Juventus has said.
The medical doctor cum farmer who is the head of the UDS clinic in Nyakpala said after food, all the other chemicals we have only go to supplement what the food is doing in the human body.
Dr. Ziem who was adjudged the best farmer in 2016 in the Upper West Region in explaining his reasons for going into farming described agriculture as an economic activities whose profitability is widely unknown.
“Some have decided to dig for for gold and other natural mineral resources in the earth but I don’t have that energy,” professor Ziem said.
Professor Ziem who owns the Fallu Farms situated at Kokoligu in the Nadom district in the Upper West region entreated YARA Ghana to extend their fertilizer ware-houses to the remote areas to enable farmers have access to YARA fertilizer.
The medical doctor and lecturer was speaking to Zaa News after he was adjudged the best farmer together with the northern regional 2016 best rice farmer, Mr. Alhassan Seidu — by Yara Ghana Limited, a leading fertilizer company.
The two were recognised at separate functions in Tamale during Yara Farmers Awards ceremony.
They received citations and a number of Yara fertilizer for their strong belief and willingness to use and promote Yara crop nutrition solution and agronomic advice.
.Professor Ziew who has been working with Yara Ghana for over five years told Zaa News his motivation to go into farming was two reasons.
Apart from being born into farming by his family, one of his patients at Holy family hospital at Techiman in the Brong Ahafo region nearly died from hunger. The female patient, whose name Professor Ziem recollects only as Ernestina, struggled mightily to heal from a wound while fighting off hunger pangs.This, Professor Ziem said, touched him and made him venture into commercial farming.
The Gumo based rice farmer, Alhassan Seidu was grateful to Yara for recognizing him as one of the company’s loyal client. He explained that he was selected two years ago when he cultivated an acre of rice and harvested 31 bags using Yara fertilizer. His yields in the subsequent years increased in both rice and other crops.
The Manager of the Ghana Commercial Bank in the Northern Region, Mr. Mahama Abdul Rahman told Zaa News the company acknowledges and appreciates Professor Ziem’s efforts in assisting rural women and the youth in the Kokoligu community through farming.
He assured farmers in the regions adequate supply of Yara fertilizer. According to Mr Abdul Rahman, the company will continue to award farmers and partnering with Ghanaian farmers to grow their businesses profitably and responsibly, while nurturing and protecting the earth’s resources, food and environment.