Youth urged to take up agriculture seriously

Ghanaian youth have been urged to seriously  embrace Agriculture,  in order to produce more food for domestic consumption and export.

Mr Joseph Dofoyenah, District Chief Executive for Ahanta West, made the call during this year’s district Farmers’ Day celebration at Abura under the theme, ”Reducing Post-Harvest Losses for Sustainable Food Security and Nutrition”.

He pointed out that  Agriculture had the potential of creating wealth, and reducing youth unemployment and poverty in the country.

The DCE noted that the country sometimes produced more than enough of its food requirements at certain  seasons resulting in a glut, because there were not enough storage facilities.

Mr. Dofoyenah advocated the need for all stakeholders to work together to reduce the menace of post-harvest losses for sustainable food security.

In view of this, he said the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Advance Project in collaboration with the Ghana Grains Council, had initiated an investment scheme into model warehousing and receipt facilities.

He indicated that the warehousing facilities would offer services such as drying, cleaning, grading and storage in hermetically sealed bags.

Therefore, a receipt would be issued for the grade of grain deposited by the farmer and he or she could later use the receipt to obtain loans from participatory banks that support the facility, he added.

The DCE said plans are far advanced for the Assembly to develop a comprehensive post-harvest strategy that will specifically address commodity challenges and other emerging issues.

Ekow Essoun, 43, was adjudged the overall best farmer in the district.

Source: GNA