Ejura, (Ash), June 11, GNA - The National Service Secretariat (NSS) has appealed to traditional authorities, philanthropists and the government for land and agricultural machinery to aid the expansion of its ongoing farm projects.

Mr Vincent Kuagbenu, the Executive Director, said inadequate land and machinery were major challenges to the expansion of the farms.

Speaking to reporters after joining some service personnel in the Ashanti Region to apply fertilizer on the NSS 300-acre maize farm at Ejura, he said apart from helping to increase food production, it was also offering practical training to the service personnel.

The goal is to support the government's School Feeding Programme and the Senior High Schools.

Mr Kuagbenu said they were hoping to double the 6,000 bags of maize produced from the Ejura farm last year.

The Executive Director said they had also established poultry farms, rabbitry and fish ponds, adding that, an ultra modern cold store would soon be opened at its head office to sell poultry products to the public.

He pointed out that the mandate of the scheme was to combat hunger, disease and illiteracy, especially in rural communities, therefore, every effort would be made to ensure that the personnel contributed their skills and knowledge to improve the living conditions of the people.

Mr Kwesi Quainoo, Ashanti Regional Director of the Scheme, praised service personnel in the region for their hard work and dedication.