Sunyani (B/A), Jan. 27, GNA- Mr J.J. Ayisi, Deputy Brong-Ahafo Regional Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture at the weekend, lauded the interest of some students in agriculture, which he said would help develop sector and make more attractive.

Mr. Ayisi was speaking at the inauguration of the Sunyani Polytechnic branch of the General Agricultural Polytechnic Students Association in Sunyani.

He urged the students to concentrate on their studies and

practice on the field to help promote the agricultural sector. Mr. Ayisi gave the assurance that his outfit would

encourage and give the needed support to help the growth

and development of the association. Mr T.A. Kusi-Appiah, Head of Department of General

Agriculture of the Sunyani Polytechnic noted with concern the

poor condition of farmers and attributed it to bad farming

practices. "Brong-Ahafo region is endowed and blessed with

abundant natural resources but the lack of technical know

how is affecting food processing", he stressed. Mr Appiah also expressed his concern about the

misapplication of agro-chemicals and other pesticides,

stressing that, modern farming needs technology to enhance

productivity. Mr Mohammed Seidi, President of the association, said its

main aim was to encourage the youth to venture into

agriculture. He said the association intends to set up a training centre

to train the unemployed youth in agricultural ventures such as

grass cutter rearing, mushroom production and bee keeping

among others. Mr Seidi appealed to municipal and district assemblies in

the region to support the establishment of the training centre.