GOVT TO REVAMP STATE FARMING

The government bid to create employment for the youth will soon materialized as the ministry of Agriculture has earmarked over 4000 acres of land for state farming.
The Deputy Minister for Agriculture in Charge of Food and Crops, Yaw Effah Baafi disclosed this in an interview with Adom Kasiebo following the government intention to go into youth block farming.
Mr. Effah Baafi explained that the purpose of the farming is to reduce food importation such as rice and maize.
He noted that the government spends over 600 million Dollars annually on importation of rice and this puts a lot of pressure on the country’s scanty resources.
He continued that government will initially focused on four major crops such like Rice, Maize, Soya and Sorghum.
The Deputy Minister said so far 6 out of the 10 regions have been earmarked for the project including Ejura farms in the Ashanti Region, the three northern regions, Central and Brong Ahafo Regions.
Mr. Effah Baafi said so far the government has spent 10.7 million Ghana Cedis on the preparation of the land for the project.
He underscored the need to have a mechanized farming to improve productivity.
CUE IN: BAAFI- MECHANIZED FARMING
The Deputy Food and Agriculture Minister noted that storage facilities are now available to prevent post-harvest loss.
Mr. Effah Baafi said in order to ensure ready market; the government will buy directly from the farmers so that the youth will always develop interest in farming.
CUE IN: BAAFI- GOVT WILL BUY FROM FARMERS