Mampong (Ash), Oct. 4, GNA - Government has been asked to adopt and implement modern policies and programmes to help improve upon the current 34 per cent contribution of agriculture to Ghana's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Government should take critical look at post harvest issues to prevent food wastage, and to import agriculture equipment that would be suitable for the country's climatic conditions. The Ghana Association of Students in Agriculture and Related Sciences (GAAS), made the call in a communiqu=E9. It was signed by the out-going National President of GASS, Mr Ransford Osei Asare and issued at the end of the 31st National Congress of the Group, at the College of Agriculture Education of the University of Education, Winneba, at Asante-Mampong.

The Congress, which was under the theme: "modernization of agriculture through science and technology", deliberated on modernization of agriculture through science and technology for wealth creation, increasing productivity, employment opportunities as well as the elimination of child labour in the agriculture sector. GASS said that conscious efforts must be made to apply the various science and technological innovations in carrying out farm activities to increase food production and to achieve food security. "Most of the agricultural machinery such as tractors and other existing technologies do not meet standards needed to produce food on large quantities of produce", it said.

The communiqu=E9 suggested that the teaching of agriculture as a course be reinstated at the basic level to enable pupils appreciate the importance of agriculture to humanity. It called on government to support GAAS and provide adequate teaching and learning materials and equipment to enhance agricultural education in schools and colleges. The Association pledged its assistance to government in eradicating child labour in the country.