Abor, Oct. 08, GNA - The chiefs and people of Abor, a farming community in the Keta District at the weekend marked their third "Ayiza," (cowpea festival) at Abor.
The festival was instituted to promote and market cowpea mostly grown in the area, promote its nutritional value, increase production and attract the youth into its cultivation.
Mr Kofi Dzamesi, Volta Regional Minister addressing a durbar to climax the celebration, commended the people for the unity among them and asked them to eschew disunity, land and chieftaincy problems that would affect their development.
He said in addition to the nutritional and economic value of cowpea they should seek further education on the management, harvesting and preservation of the crop from Agricultural Extension Officers to realise the maximum value for their toils.
Mr Dan Abodakpui, Member of Parliament for Keta expressed concern about the falling standards of education in the area and stressed the need for conerted efforts to address the problem.
Mr Kofi Ahiabor, Keta District Chief Executive said about 270 youth had been registered under the National Youth Employment Programme to engage in agro-business and 74 for the Pupil Teacher Scheme. Togbe Dordzavudzi Atrifu, Dufia of Abor appealed for credit facilities and farming inputs for the people to improve on their farming activities.
Several dishes made from cowpea were exhibited at the festival.
