Akim Manso (E/R) Dec. 07, GNA- Mr George Kwame Aboagye, Member of Parliament for Asene-Manso-Akroso Constituency, has called on youth interested in agriculture to involve themselves in the newly introduced YouthStart Initiative, which will kick start in March 2022.
The YouthStart agriculture initiative was captured in the 2022 Budget presented to Parliament by Mr Ken Ofori- Atta, the Finance Minister, last month.
The initiative serves as a vehicle to support young people to develop commercially viable businesses, gain access to capital and have access to training, technical skills, and mentoring to operate their businesses.
Also, the 2022 budget provides GH¢1billion to support young men and women who want to embark on their business under the YouthStart Initiative.
The Member of Parliament urged the youth to liaise with the Department of Agriculture in the area to be registered when the time was due next year.
Mr Aboagye who was speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency at Akim Manso said the youth could go into vegetable farming because vegetables are harvested within the shortest possible time.
For instance, tomato, carrot, onion, okra, and the rest are harvested within four months but cassava takes one year.
He said, “there is hope in wealth for the youth since, groceries can be found in the cities and hotels and restaurants, are also into purchasing vegetables.”
“The rate at which the youth need money, require that short possible time, so the YouthStart Initiative is a good intervention,” he added.
Mr Kwasi Boahen, a 24-year-old vegetable farmer at Akim Manso, said he has one and a half acres farm for Okro and tomato plantations and was willing to expand the farm on large scale.
He said he would visit the Agriculture Department so that when the opportunity comes, he will not be left out.
He said he would visit the Agriculture Department so that when the opportunity comes, he will not be left out.