Akuse, Aug 9, GNA - Mr Kwesi Ahwoi, the Minister of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) has said the national vision for the food and agriculture sector was a modernized agriculture culminating in a structurally transformed economy that would show in food security, employment opportunities and reduced poverty.

Mr Ahwoi said this in a speech read for at the 33rd graduation ceremony of the Bok Nam Kim Agricultural School and Farms Limited at Akuse.

He said the ministry would spearhead national efforts to improve food security and emergency preparedness.

The graduation saw the passing out of 48 male Agricultural Extension Officers drawn from the Armed Forces, the Prisons and Police Services, Extension Officers of MOFA and Youth Leadership Centres.

They had five weeks of intensive training in rice cultivation and livestock production.

Mr Ahwoi said he was satisfied that the demonstration farms established by the late Mr Bok Nam Kim marked an increased diplomatic relationship between Ghana and Korea.

He said in Ghana rice was increasingly becoming an important staple cereal due to rising populations, rapid urbanization and increasing per capita consumption.

The Minister stressed the need to step up the nation's rice production "to satisfy our needs and provide the much needed food security and emergency preparedness that is envisaged in our Food and Agricultural Sector Development Policy."

Mr Ahwoi told the graduates that in the crusade to free Ghana from the chronic rice production shortfalls, no effort was too little and therefore advised them to organize enthusiastic and resourceful farmers and start rice production.

He urged them to seek further training and career development in rice breeding and post-harvest management, which in his view, lacked adequate personnel at the research, development and extension levels.

The Minister lauded the Korean government for providing the facilities and funds the school.

Mrs Young Ok Kim, Chairperson of Afko Group Limited, in an address read on her behalf, recounted the historical background of Bok Nam Kim Agricultural School, and said, established in August 1982 it had trained 1,221 students made up of 1,035 males and 186 females.

Mrs Young commended Professor Sang Chul Lee of Kung Bouk University in South Korea for devoting his time and energy by travelling from far away Korea to impart his rich knowledge in rice cultivation to students of the school.

Mr David Tetteh Asumeng, Member of Parliament for Shai-Osudoku, urged rice farmers to step up production in order for the nation to become self-sufficient in rice production.

Mr Paul Penu, Course Prefect, appealed to beneficiary institutions of the training programme to offer financial and other assistance to the school.

Mr Nicol had earlier laid a wreath in memory of the late Bok Nam Kim at his bust just in front of the school.

Prizes were awarded to deserving graduates with Mr Daniel Yaw Owusu, Mr Adams Alhassan and Mr Moses Opoku securing the first, second and third prizes respectively.