Youth in Akatsi-North prefer “Okada” to farming

Young people in the Akatsi-North District would rather go into operating commercial motorbikes, locally referred to as Okada business, than cultivate irrigated fields available perennially.

As a result, the 25 acre and more fields around the Ave-Afiadenyigba dam remains grossly underutilized.

This situation is inhibiting, the overhaul of other existing dams at Ave-Xevi, Metrikasa, Seva and Ave-Dakpa, all of which, even in their present state, are being underutilized.

Mr Anthony Ekor, Akatsi-North District Director of Agriculture, was speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on the sidelines of the District’s Farmers' Day held at Ashiagborvi.

This situation is in spite of available huge vegetable markets within the district, its precincts and in Accra/Tema areas and beyond.

Mr Ekor said the district had adopted a strategy to draw the agriculture shy youth back to the fields by enticing individuals and organizations to fields with prospects of improving economic fortunes so as to serve as baits for the local youth.

A total of 26 people were awarded with Divine Kplormdo, from Zemu, emerging the overall best farmer of the District.

Madam Alu Torkpo and Mr Besa Agboyibor were among the awardees as most notable aged female and male farmers. Both are in their 80s.

The Day this year was on the theme “Transforming Ghana-Invest in Agriculture”.

Mr James Gunu, District Chief Executive (DCE) said henceforth landlords of Fulani Herdsmen, would be held jointly liable in the event of cattle of fulanis damaging crops, a common occurrence in the area.

He urged farmers in the area to form cooperative groups to bid for tractors.

Mr Gunu stressed that agriculture remains the pillar on which the economy of the district stood.

He said efforts were being made to fix all road arteries running through the district to enable farmers move their produce to marketing centres much more easily.

Two brothers, Haruna Inusah Gametsiame and Salifu Gametsiame, both farmers from Nyitawuta, told the GNA that farming in the area was profitable yet tedious.

They said getting tractors to plough their fields was not easy and that that problem had resulted in late sowing of corn during the minor season.

The brothers also complained about the cost of agro-chemicals but commended Agricultural Extension Officers for endeavoring to reach farmers.