Awutu-Bawjiase (C/R), Sept. 3, GNA- The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) is to establish Agricultural Extension Information Centres (AEIC) throughout the country.

The move is to augment the Ministry's effort of promoting food, meat, fish and industrial raw materials and make farmers derive maximum benefit from their toil.

It will also assist them to contribute financially towards the implementation of self-help project in their community. Mr Isaac Akpabi, National Coordinator of AEIC, said this at a meeting of stakeholders at Awutu-Bawjiase in the Central Region on Tuesday.

The meeting discussed matters relating to the new system and was attended by opinion leaders in the Awutu-Senya district, including Nana Ghartey VII, Omanhene of the Efutu traditional area.

Mr Akpabi said the ministry has established six of such centres at Atebubu in the Brong Ahafo, Dabala in the Volta Region, Asin Fosu, Mankessim, Twifo Praso and Agona Swedru, all in the Central Region.

He said under the AEIC system, farmers will be provided with additional information about agriculture at the major marketing centres in their administrative set ups where the AEIC offices would be established to prevent them from travelling to district capitals for such information.

Mr Samuel Senagor, Awutu-Efutu-Senya District Director of MOFA, said a survey conducted by the Ministry showed that 30 percent of active farmers in every district patronised, at least onece a week the major marketing centres in the district hence the decision to establish the information centres.

Mr Senagor said another concern of the ministry was inadequate number of agricultural extension officers in the country.

He expressed the hope that the establishment of the AEIC will significantly make up for a balanced farmer/extension officer ratio, which presently stood at one to 2,500 farmers, while the government takes steps to train more officers to address the issue. Ministry called for effective collaboration between various district assemblies, traditional councils and organised farmers and fishermen groups to ensure success of the programme.

She said the ministry is unable to go alone in its effort to make the nation self-sufficient in agriculture. There is therefore, the need for all stakeholders to team up with it to achieve the objective. The Regional Agricultural Director commended the Awutu-Efutu-Senya District Assembly for the immense support and co-operation it has given to the district to implement agricultural programmes.