Accra: A focused agricultural advocacy group, Volta Youth in Agriculture, has called on the government to prioritize the establishment of Farmer Service Centres (FSCs) in the region. This plea comes in the wake of the government's initiative to launch the first such facility in the Afram Plains.
According to Ghana News Agency, the group commended President John Dramani Mahama for fulfilling his campaign promise. They noted that the planned FSC at Afram Plains presents a significant opportunity to boost agricultural productivity and improve livelihoods in that area. In a press release dated March 20, signed by Madam Joy Fiamawle, the Public Relations Officer of the group, the group expressed excitement over the government's initiative.
'We really appreciate the initiatives by the government; it is a move which can significantly improve and transform the agricultural landscape for the best in the country which will also ginger the youth to go into agriculture,' Madam Fiamawle stated. She urged the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Eric Opoku, and his deputy, Mr John Dumelo, to consider extending the initiative to the Volta Region to enhance agricultural development there.
The group emphasized that many young people engaged in agriculture were eagerly anticipating such interventions to sustain their interest in farming and make the sector more appealing. 'Our emphasis is that farming remains not only a source of livelihood but also an integral part of the country's heritage and future, despite the numerous challenges confronting young farmers, and the Farmer Service Centre will be of great intervention,' they asserted.
Highlighting challenges faced by the sector, the group pointed out limited access to reliable agricultural information, difficulty in obtaining quality seeds, and inadequate knowledge of modern farming techniques. They also identified the lack of access to essential machinery for land preparation, planting, and harvesting as a major obstacle for youth in agriculture, appealing to the government for assistance.
The group believes that establishing Farmer Service Centres in the Volta Region would serve as a critical support system for young farmers, providing training opportunities and access to high-quality resources. They noted that such centres would create a platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration, and innovation among farmers, ultimately strengthening the agricultural value chain.