Accra, March 2,GNA - Professor Wayo Seini, Member for Tamale Central, on Wednesday said the agricultural sector needed the necessary attention and resources to grow.

He said available data indicated that all was not well with the sector, especially with food production and other sources of protein. The Member was speaking to the motion on the Budget Statement delivered by the Minister of Finance last week.

"The bottom line is that the country must be fed well," he said. Prof. Seini said farmlands were now being used for real estate development.

He cited some parts of Weija in Accra, which had been earmarked for irrigation but had now become a residential area. The Member called for the intensification of aquaculture in view of the dwindling fish stocks to provide affordable sources of protein for the people.

The Member said shea butter production had not been given the needed attention.

"I do not know whether by placing it under the Cocoa Division, it has been playing second fiddle."

He said the hike in petroleum prices had increased the farmers' "wahala"(plight).