Hohoe, Dec 06, GNA - The Volta Regional Agricultural Unit is to revamp agriculture in the region under a youth led programme that would bring an additional 1,000 hectares under food crops cultivation. Under the programme, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) would plough the land, provide planting materials and agro-chemicals for the interested youth.

Mr Julius Ametefe, Volta Regional Director of MOFA, said this at the Regional 21st National Farmers Day Celebration at Hohoe last Friday. He said the programme was expected to raise agricultural production to meet the increasing challenges of feeding and provide adequate nutrition.

Access to markets, improved agricultural technology and rural finances would be actively tackled under the programme. Traditional small-scale farmers would be supplied with improved planting materials and agro-chemicals to increase production and productivity.

On livestock production, Mr Ametefe appealed to farmers to collaborate with the Veterinary Services of MOFA to control diseases and that vaccination figures in the 2004 and 2005 were not encouraging.