General News of Monday, 18 September 2006

Source: GNA

Dormaa Ahenkro suffers maize glut

Dormaa-Ahenkro, Sept 18, GNA - An aspiring assembly member at Dormaa-Ahenkro, Mr Alexander Takyi, has appealed to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to find market for large quantities of maize in the district.

He expressed the fear that the glut might change the minds of the youth engaged in agriculture to think of moving to the urban areas for jobs.

Mr Takyi told the GNA in an interview that agriculture was a potential source of employment for the youth, hence the need to encourage those engaged in it.

"What worsens the plight of the farmers is the unreasonably low price offered for the commodity. A bag of the maize, which sold at 360,000 cedis last year, sells for 100,000 cedis at Dormaa-Ahenkro and even less in the hinterland."

The aspirant suggested to the district assembly and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to consider purchasing the maize from farmers at a more reasonable price for storage.