Modernise agriculture to make it economically rewarding -Expert

Mampong (Ash), June 1, GNA - Mr. Agyekum Asabere, Director of Agricultural Extension at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), has underscored the need for the nation to modernize her agriculture to make the sector more economically rewarding. He pointed out that, this could be achieved by applying the requisite scientific and technological techniques in agricultural production and that it was high time government partnered research institutions in their work to enable them come out with the best farming practices to benefit farmers. This, he said, was also necessary to ensure high productivity by farmers to enhance food sustenance, especially in the wake of the global food crisis.

Mr. Asabere gave the advice at an Open Day and media encounter ceremony of the College of Agricultural Education of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) at Asante-Mampong at the weekend. He observed that, cognizance should be given to relevant curricular planning and financial support in the agricultural educational system to address the gaps in the system. The Agricultural Extension Director noted that the bulk of farmers in the country were ageing, saying this was a disincentive to boosting the agricultural sector and stressed that it was high time comprehensive measures were instituted to help attract the youth into farming.

Mr Richard Awuah, Principal of the College, emphasised that his outfit was committed to inculcating into students a high sense of discipline to enable them to serve as agents of change in their communities.

Professor Kwasi Asabere Ameyaw, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba, said the current global food crisis should be a wake-up call for the nation to take a serious look at maximizing her agricultural production to ensure food security.