Mr. Kwame Awuku, an Agricultural Expert of the Delarwin Farms at Kpone, near Tema has called on the youth to take farming as a serious profession to develop their living conditions, communities and the nation.
Speaking at the 19th Graduation Ceremony of the Leventis Foundation Farmers' Training Programme at Nmaidjor near Ashalley Botwe in Accra, Mr Awuku asked the youth to regard farming as a commercial venture and not as a last resort in their aspirations for their socio-economic development.
A total of 52 graduands passed out at the programme which is under the Institute of Agricultural Research of the College of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences at the University of Ghana, Legon.
Mr. Awuku was of the belief that the youth of the country "hold the stomach and future of this country", adding that, it was upon this that agricultural scientists and researchers should yearn and endeavour to teach, motivate and encourage the youth to go into farming.
Mr. Awuku said even though early batches of trainees, like all pioneers went through hardships today much success has been achieved through hard work.
He commended the graduands for their in-depth training in both crop and livestock farming and urged them to make good use of the opportunity.
He said their certificates would testify that the graduands had fully participated in Agricultural Training, and expressed optimism that they would be capable of running their own farms.
The Agricultural Scientist advised the students to pay periodic visits to their offices of training in order to be abreast with current agricultural practices at all times.
Mr Awuku, who was the Guest of Honour for the occasion, thanked Messrs Leventis Foundation for the unflinching support for the programme and for increasing their sponsorship this year for the students to be trained in grasscutter production and fish farming.
Mrs Comfort Emden, Leventis Representative in Ghana, said apart from the training programme, the Leventis Foundation sponsored the Archaeology Department to collate all artifacts, Constantine Leventis Computer Library of the College of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences (CACS) graduate fellowship and the Ghana Wild Life Society.
The Leventis Foundation runs similar farmer programmes and sponsors general programmes in Nigeria.
Mr. Ebenezer Budu-Biney, Co-ordinator of the Leventis Foundation Farmers Training Programme, explained the criteria for the selection of award winners and recipients of cash prizes.
Mr Budu-Biney said trainees who were supplied with a pair of Wellington boots, water cans and other inputs, at an average cost of GH¢15.00, "undertake individual and group projects in the cultivation of crops like hot pepper, okro, tomatoes, cucumber as well as vegetables and poultry."
He said final proceeds from the individuals and groups were lumped and shared to the trainees, adding that the input cost was deducted from the income realized and the net realizable income was awarded to the trainees.
Mr Budu-Biney said this year, the highest cash award was GH¢340.00 with an average of GH¢87.00.
Dr Francis Ofori, Director of the Institute of Agricultural Research of the College of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences, University of Ghana and Chairman for the occasion, advised the award winners to continue to work hard to win awards at higher levels.
He also advised them to pay back loans offered them by NGOs and financial institutions to enable their colleagues to also benefit from such facilities.
The award winners were Mr Joseph Chineyellu, overall best trainee for this year, Mr Samuel Adjei, the most hard working trainee; and Mr Augustine Aketeweh, the most disciplined trainee.
Others were Miss Faustina Akparibu, who received the award for being the best female trainee, while Miss Agnes Dameshie received that for the most hardworking female.
Dr Tsatsu Adogla-Bessa, Head of the University of Ghana Agricultural Research Centre, Legon, thanked all stakeholders of the Leventis Foundation Farmers Training programme, for their contributions to make the centre and programme as it is today.
He, however, appealed to the government, security agencies as well as all well-meaning Ghanaians, to come to the aid of the Centre, as the place was being encroached upon by some individuals.