Adubinsu — MR. KAAKYERE Oppong Kyekyeku, District Chief Executive for Afigya Kwabre in the Ashanti Region has advised Ghanaians, especially the youth, to venture into Agriculture to feed the citizenry and grow the economy, since agriculture is the backbone of the economic growth of the nation.

He observed that the manner in which the Ghanaian populace, especially the youth of today, are running away from farming is alarming and said if the situation is not rectified immediately, it will be disastrous for the future of this nation, as we cannot even be able to feed the citizenry, let alone help grow the economy.

He made the observation at this year's 28th district farmer's day celebration at Adubinsu, in the Afigya Kwabre District of Ashanti, held on the theme: "Grow more food: strengthening Farmers Based Organizations for Market place Bargaining Power".

According to the DCE, the youth of today, who are energetic, are refusing to enter into farming and instead searching for white colour jobs which may not be in existence or they do not have the requisite qualification. The end result is that they are mostly idle which situation is unacceptable the development of the country.

He, however, pointed out that the government of the day has made farming very attractive by providing more interventions and made it a lucrative job for those who are determined and want to venture into it.

He advised the youth to take it upon themselves and take such interventions into consideration and embark on farming to help improve their lives and their families to make earns meet.

Mrs. Felicia Akowua, the District Director of Agriculture also commended the farmers for their hard work in feeding the citizenry over the years and improving the economy.

She advised them to come together as groups in order to apply for assistance to enable them improve upon their farms and yields to have more benefits to take care of their families.

A 55-year-old, Mr. Isaac Twum Barimah, a graduate in BSc Agriculture from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology KNUST and a native of Kukurantume in the Eastern region was adjudged the Kwabre West district best farmer.

He has 30 hectares of cocoa, 30 hectares of teaks, 6 hectares of plantains, 100,000 capacities of poultry and 60 livestock, and received as his prize a Motorbike, spraying machine, wellington boots, cutlass and a certificate of honour.

In a related development, 52-year-old Nana Osei Kofi from Ahwiankwanta, who has 10 hectares of palm plantation, 12 hectares of cocoa, 50 livestock, 5 hectares of maize, 8 hectares of vegetables, a hectare of mango was also adjusted the overall best farmer in the Bekwai municipality.

He was awarded with Deep freezer, a Bicycle, spraying machine, 21 inch television, wellington boots, cutlass and a certificate of honour