According to him, the objective is to create young businessmen through agricultural activities to help reduce the rate of unemployment in the municipality.

The DCE, who disclosed at the assembly’s first ordinary meeting at Akropong, noted that the assembly under the new initiative would train and mentor young participants to venture into agri-businesses such as poultry farms, piggeries, fish farming among others.

He was optimistic that the initiative will create over 200 direct jobs to complement other job opportunities that would be create under government’s flagship “one district, one factory” and “planting for food and jobs” initiatives.

PLANTING FOR FOOD AND JOBS

The Agric Department of the Assembly, under the “Planting for Food and Jobs” programme has taken  delivery 85 bags of seeds, 1,254 bags of NPK compound fertilizer and 627 bags of urea which has so far been distributed to farmers in the area.

In addition, 65 sachets of tomatoes seeds, 20 sachets of onion seeds and 58 sachets of pepper seeds has also been received by the assembly.

Briefing members about progress made as far, the MCE noted that, 294 farmers comprising 244 males and 50 females have been served with maize seed for cultivation. He therefore encouraged the youth to desist from migrating elsewhere in search of non-existent jobs but rather participate fully in the system to help improve their economic fortunes.

The programme will motivate farmers to grow staple foods such as maize, millet, beans and vegetables to feed the nation and export the excess for foreign incomes. The MCE, who informed the house that there were seeds in stock for distribution, therefore urged members to inform their electorates to develop interest in the programme to earn income.

FALL ARMY WORM CONTROL

The MCE also disclosed that government has intensified efforts to address the spread of the fall armyworms in a bid to support farmers whose maize farms have been affected by this pest.

He said the incidence of the Fall Army worm invasion in the Municipality were recorded in areas around Asenema, Nkwanta, Tinkong, Gyankwakye, Mangoase, Okorase, New Asuoyaa, Okotom and Abonse of which 912.5 acres of maize field have been infested.

He however, assured that the agric department was working tirelessly to control the spread of the disease. He said affected farmers who  reported to the department have also been supplied with pesticides to help control the disease.

He concluded by adding that agric extension agents were also present on the field to educate farmers on pest identification and effective application of the pesticide.