By Evans Worlanyo Ameamu, GNA
Ho (V/R), June 02, GNA-The Volta Youth in Agriculture has praised Mr John Dumelo, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, for his personal sponsorship of twenty (20) young farmers to engage in large-scale tomato production during the dry season.
Madam Joy Fiamawle, the Public Relations Officer of the group, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), said that the youth organisation expressed profound appreciation for Dumelo’s visionary leadership and commitment to transforming agricultural landscape through targeted youth empowerment.
“The initiative, we believe involves the provision of critical agricultural inputs and services including tractor services, fertilizers, improved seeds, extension support, pest and weed control, irrigation systems, and guaranteed market access for the beneficiaries,” she said.
She explained that the comprehensive support package is expected to enable the young farmers to collectively cultivate over 400 acres of tomatoes in the Volta Region, which marked a significant pilot project aimed at demonstrating the viability of commercial farming among the youth.
The group further highlighted that the Minister intervention goes beyond mere input supply, describing it as a powerful tool for empowering young people, create meaningful employment opportunities, and addressing the persistent challenge of youth unemployment in the region.
Madam Fiamawale said: “Supporting young farmers to produce substantial quantities of tomatoes during the traditionally challenging dry season, the initiative is also positioned to strengthen food security and reduce the country’s dependence on tomato imports.”
Volta Youth in Agriculture noted that the project reflects innovative and practical solutions needed to modernise agriculture, encourage more young people to see farming as a profitable and sustainable enterprise rather than a last resort.
The organisation believed that the success of the pilot would serve as a model for future public-private collaborations aimed at empowering young farmers across the country.
She assured the support and readiness to encourage eligible young farmers within the Volta Region to take advantage of the opportunity and expressed optimism about the project’s positive impact on agricultural development in Ghana.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Benjamin Mensah