ACCRA, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo on Monday said his government would focus on the application of information and communications technology (ICT) to improve agriculture and make it attractive to the youth.
Speaking at the 68th Annual New Year School at the University of Ghana, Legon, Akufo-Addo said government places great importance on the modernization of the agricultural sector, adding that the integration of ICT would not only increase the wealth of farmers and fisherfolk but also guarantee the nation's food security.
He said given the rapid penetration of ICT in our society today, particularly the use of mobile telephones, there is a realization that ICT should be integrated to be effectively used as facilitating tools in agricultural development to boost its impact on the lives of farmers.
"ICT provides easier access to markets and information resources and I have no doubt that if this is mainstreamed into our agricultural practices, productivity within the sector will be increased to ensure that not only will farmers' input increase but also the nation's food security will be guaranteed," he said.
The Minister-designate for Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, announced government's plans to launch a national campaign dubbed 'Planting for food and jobs', which is designed to encourage all citizens, both urban and rural, to take up farming as a full-time and part-time activity.
The New Year School is a major annual event of the University of Ghana which provides a common platform for academicians and people of diverse backgrounds to deliberate on issues of national interest.
The theme for the 2017 edition of the event is: "Promoting National Development Through Agricultural Modernization: the Role of ICT."
Participants at the four-day program are expected to discuss issues on agricultural financing options, opportunities and strategies in the use of ICT to improve agricultural production and create more jobs within the sector.
