Regional News of Thursday, 25 August 2005

Source: GNA

Utilise modern technologies to promote agriculture

Sunyani (B/A) Aug. 25, GNA - Mr. Emmanuel Fritz Kuwornu, President of Ghana National Agricultural Technical Class Association on Thursday urged farmers to adopt improved technology, use of improved seeds, minimum use of agricultural chemicals and integrated pest management technologies to ensure abundant and healthy farm produce. He called on the government to provide adequate storage facilities for agricultural produce during bumper harvests to ensure national food security. Mr. Kuwornu was speaking to Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview after the opening of the fourth national delegates congress of the association in Sunyani. It was on the theme: "The Agriculturist in Agric-Business, The Way Forward". Mr. Kuwornu said since agriculture was the bedrock of the economy, there was the need to increase its productivity and modernize it to ensure that the country achieved expected targets. He commended the government on the recent adjustments made in the prices of petroleum products, which he said, had provided some relief to citizens and pledged the Association's unflinching support to government in its bid to augment accelerated economic agricultural growth to enhance national food security. Mr. Richard Assah Dartey, Deputy Brong-Ahafo Regional Director of Ministry of Food and Agriculture said the Ministry was concerned about the prices of farm inputs and was working hard to ensure that the prices became affordable. He said government was working to exploit avenues and make interventions for the spoilage of farm produce throughout the country.