The premier made the statement on Sunday while speaking at the awarding ceremony of 577 farmers as well as professionals and organizations that registered outstanding achievements in the agriculture development sector held in Mekele town of the Tigray State.

Meles said the agriculture sector, which was marginalized during the previous regimes of the country, has registered observable changes during the last few years owing to the relentless efforts of the incumbent government.

Every farmer can boost agricultural production up to three-fold on a small plot of land with the assistance of agricultural productions, Meles said, adding the awarded farmers are living testimonials for this fact.

The government is exerting utmost efforts toward expanding the valuable experiences and inputs used by the awarded farmers to all farmers of the nation.

Agriculture and rural development minister, Tefera Deribew said on his part local farmers contributed a lot toward bringing about the registered achievements witnessed in the agriculture sector.

He said awarding the farmers has created health competition among farmers toward boosting agricultural production and productivity besides creating additional model farmers ever year.

Some 176 of the awardees were reported to be awarded earlier while the remaining ones receive the awards for the first time.

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