The Eastern Regional Minister has revealed to Rite FM the intentions of his outfit to help small scale farmers in the region to expand their farms to commercial farming
Hon Antwi Bosiako-Sekyere mentioned that about 60% of the working population in Eastern region are farmers, small scale farmers, hence the need to train them (farmers) to expand their farms to a commercial farming
He also noted that because the farmers are into small scale farming they are not able to produce more for the market and make money out of it. The Minister further noted that youth are willing to go into agriculture but that sector has not been made attractive, so the youth see the agriculture as a low income sector for that matter they (the youth) are not encouraged as being preached. But if agriculture should be made a “money sector” the youth would be encouraged
Hon Antwi Bosiako-Sekyere answering questions on the deplorable nature of farm roads in the Eastern Region, he said the president John Dramani Mahama stated in his speech at the recent Farmers Day Celebration in Sefwi Wiawso that Government has allocated an amount of $150m dollars for road construction starting from next year (2015) which will continue through to 2019, a five year project
“It’s very expensive to construct even one kilometer of road”, the Minister stated
In an interview, Hon Antwi Bosiako-Sekyere confirmed to RITE FM that the amount allocated for the five year project is readily available and it’s not from the budget of the government of Ghana
He again assured that next year (2015) road construction will begin
To begin to construct roads and its completion sometimes takes a longer time but for this five year project I’m sure with the amount ready, it won’t take much time, he concluded
