National Service Scheme produces 8,524 bags of maize from two farming projects
Mr Enoch Teye Mensah, Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing, has underlined the government’s determination to transform the country’s agriculture to make it more attractive to the youth.
In line with this, he said, agricultural-based senior high schools (SHS) would receive every necessary assistance and support to whip up the enthusiasm of the students in farming.
He said this when speaking at the handing over of 8,524 bags of maize produced by the National Service Scheme (NSS) from its two farming projects at Ejura in Ashanti, and Branam in the Brong-Ahafo Region.
The Ejura project yielded 4,524 bags while that of Branam accounted for the remaining 4,000 bags and they would be sold to the schools and the Ghana Nuts Company at subsidized rates to feed students and for production of poultry feed.
Mr Mensah, who is also the acting Education Minister, praised the NSS for its farming initiative and encouraged the scheme to introduce more programmes to create employment openings for the youth.
He appealed for public and private-sector support for the scheme to enable it roll out projects and interventions to assist the young people to play their expected role in national development.
Dr Kwaku Agyemang-Mensah, the Ashanti Regional Minister, praised the NSS personnel working on the farming project for their hard work and total commitment that had resulted in such massive maize production.
He said the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) would continue to give the needed support to the scheme in its drive at helping to achieve national food security and draw the youth into agriculture.
Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye Marfo, the Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, described as refreshing the decision by the NSS to use the 163 acre abandoned “Old Brigade” land for yellow corn cultivation.
He said the region was endowed with vast fertile agriculture lands and advised the people take cue from the NSS and enter into farming to enhance food security.
Mr Vincent Kuagbenu, Executive Director of the Scheme, said they would work hard to increase production levels, this year adding that there was the need to promote block farming through the use of service personnel.
Nana Kwaku Sarfo II, Chief of Ejura, commended the government for providing the area with its fair share of infrastructure.
Source: GNA