Assorku-Essaman (W/R), Dec. 4, GNA - Government is still committed to=

agricultural development that will ensure food security in the country, t= he District Chief Executive for Shama, Ms Emelia Arthur, has said. She said the Assembly had established Agriculture Support Scheme, whi= ch had disbursed GH¢30,000 to farmers and fishmongers. Ms Arthur said this at this year's District Farmers' Day celebration at Assorku-Essaman on Friday under the theme: "Grow More Food".

Giving the breakdown for the disbursement, Ms Arthur said GH¢5,000 had been given to Abuesi Fishmongers Association, GH¢11,000 to the Suporm D= unkwa Palm Fruit Out-growers Association, GH¢5,000 to Livestock Association a= t Inchaban and GH¢2,000 to Grasscutter Farmers at Aboadzie. The District Chief Executive noted because the country's population h= ad increased over the years, the Assembly hoped to produce adequate, afforda= ble and available food to feed people for a healthy and productive workforce. Ms Arthur indicated that the Youth in Agriculture Programme had been introduced in the district and so far 31 farmers had benefited from it. She said 100 farmers had been trained to engage in the Inland Valleys=

Rice Development Project (IVRDP), which was expected to develop over 1,47= 3 hectares of potential inland valleys in five regions in the country. This is expected to yield an average of 476 tons of paddy rice, Ms Arthur said. She said rice mill factory was being constructed at Ohiamadwen in the=

district for rice processing.

She noted that Government had subsidized fertilizers to farmers throughout the country to enhance crop production and ensure food securit= y. In all, 27 farmers were rewarded with items ranging from bicycles, sewing machines, cutlasses, wellington boots, among other farm inputs. Mr Emmanuel Homey of Badukrom was adjudged the District Best Farmer. 4 Dec. 10