Mr Issifu Alidu Laa-Bandow, Zabzugu District Chief Executive, (DCE), has noted that the National Farmers Day would be relevant to Ghanaians as long as agriculture maintains its position as a major contributor to national development.

He said in recent times, agriculture appears to be less attractive to the youth who think other means of survival are easier than the venture.

“I want to use this occasion to once again appeal to our young men to consider agriculture not just as a way of life, but a business in which we should all invest in order to better our lives and our country,” he said.

Mr Laa-Bandow, made the observation at this year’s Farmers Day at Lanjeli in the Northern on the theme: “Transform Ghana, Invest in Agriculture.”

He said the theme was apt and called on all to make a contribution to the promotion of agriculture.

He expressed the need for the end of negative practices that affects the rainfall pattern in the district.

“You can make a contribution as a teacher by inculcating in our children the need to protect the environment and to practice agriculture.

“You can help in this transformation as a security personnel or forestry officer by enforcing the laws on illegal logging. Chiefs and politicians can collaborate to institute bye-laws in our local areas that will encourage the youth to engage in agriculture as a business.

“As a trader in food staff, you can endeavour to pay realistic prices to our farmers instead of cheating them.”

The DCE said Zabzugu is a predominantly farming district and “we should take the lead in this campaign of investing in agriculture”.

He said a vast land is being prepared in Sabare for the promotion of rice cultivation under the irrigation and flood recession scheme and water conservation methods.

Mr Laa-Bandow said contract has been awarded for works to begin on the scheme.

He said a road map has been laid for a shea programme development for Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions, to enhance living standards.

To facilitate food production the DCE said the Assembly had improved a number of roads, including the opening up of the eight -km Ojoja junction – Ojoja Feeder Road, Spot Improvement of 10-km Bitido – Gortanie Feeder Road, and an eight-km Nakpali – Mogyinga-Mbebudo Feeder Road.

“We recognise the role agriculture can play in the transformation of our country. We cannot sit on the fence any longer and expect others to do the work. We can all do something.

“Let us bring back the good old back yard gardening and school gardening, which was used to support those in mainstream agriculture to produce the food we needed as a country. This is possible with just a little commitment,” Mr Laa-Bandow said.