Mankessim (C/R), Dec 1, GNA - Mr Ato Essuman, Member of Council of State for the Central Region has commended farmers and fishermen for their toils to feed the nation and to sustain the economy under difficult conditions.

In a goodwill message to farmers and fishermen on the occasion of the 22nd edition of the Farmers Day, Mr Essuman, who is also the Chief Director of the Ministry of Education Science and Sports commended the government for taking measures to attract the youth into agricultural production.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency at Mankessim after a tour of some communities in the Region, the Council of State Member described the theme for the celebration of the 22nd Farmers Day: "Youth Employment Programme, an avenue for Sustaining agricultural Development" as appropriate as it was the surest way of supporting the country's aged farmers in agricultural production.

Mr Essuman appealed to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to embark on production of small-scale dams to assist farmers in irrigation, as rain-fed farming was not helping them.

He urged the Ministry to employ more Agricultural Extension Agents (AEAs) to provide technical services to farmers, describing the present AEA-farmer ration as not the best, especially at this time that more youth were being enticed into agricultural production.

"We need the agents to introduce our farmers to mechanised farming," Mr Essuman stated.

The Council of State Member expressed concern about the use of unapproved methods of farming and fishing with particular reference to the use of inappropriate agro-chemicals, fishing nets and light for fishing and admonished them to desist from such practices as it depleted fish stocks.

Mr Essuman advised them to invest in their children's education to ensure a better support in future.