The Department of Agriculture in the Volta Region has engaged more than 100 unemployed graduates from agricultural institutions as Extension Agents for government’s “Planting for food and jobs,” programme in the Region.

The recruits will augment the Extension Officer-Farmer ratio of one is to 2,500 and expected to work closely with farmers in their localities.

Their core mandates are to advise farmers on new planting methods and on ways of controlling pests and diseases for higher yields.

At a day’s orientation for the recruits, Mr Samuel Kofi Larbi, Regional Director, Department of Agric, said their engagement was crucial to increasing production of rice, maize and vegetable in the Region.

Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, Regional Minister described agriculture as an important sector in the national economy and urged the recruits to grab the opportunity and see it as a beginning of a career.

“If our people eat well, they will not fall sick and go to the hospital and our children will remain in school,” he stated.