Weta Rice Farmers Association of Ghana (WRIFAG), a farmer-based organisation has urged government to create an enabling environment for the agriculture sector to thrive, saying agriculture is the base of industrialisation. Mr Sampson Klutsey Gamenyah, Patron of WRIFAG who made the call said for Ghana to achieve self-sufficiency in food production, essential for sustainable economic growth and industrial development, there must be increased investment in agriculture to overcome the several major constraints in the sector. He spoke Saturday during the official launch at Klenormadi in Ketu North, of the 312-member Association comprising 232 (males) and 80 (females) farmers of different professional backgrounds-artisans, teachers, doctors, mechanics, administrators and business people from four main districts of Ketu North, Ketu South, Akatsi North and Akatsi South in the Volta Region. 'When we talk about industrialisation, we are referring to agriculture. Agriculture is the foundation of industrialisation. T herefore, the government must create an enabling environment for the sector to grow. This should include interest free and long-term loan facilities for all those working in the agriculture value chain.' 'Governments over the years have been talking about industrialisation and job creation. Some have managed to establish factories without any raw material base. They probably have forgotten that agriculture is the bedrock of industrialisation. I would like to remind all of us that the best and most sustainable place to create jobs for the youth is in agriculture,' Mr Gamenyah said. He stressed among others, the need to rehabilitate the Weta Irrigation Project that started in 1962, diffusing across the four districts being celebrated, to bring it to its pristine condition, noting that it used to be the most beautiful irrigation structure in the country. 'The cost of inputs keeps increasing day by day. The agriculture sector will benefit greatly from subsidies and research aimed at improving the quality and e fficient utilisation of inputs such as insecticides, herbicides and fertilisers.' The WRIFAG Patron classified farming activities of the Association to be in two main sectors, rice sector having a population of 290 members (averagely producing 142,450 metric tonnes of milled rice annually) and cassava, maize and sweet potato sector, 136 members, with the total acreage of farmlands owned by the Association members being 3,486; 2,849 for rice and 637 for the other crops. Dr Bright Atsu Sogbey, President of Africa Development Council, who chaired the event said the future of Ghana's agriculture though bright, required collective effort and commitment believing, WRIFAG represented a new dawn in rice farming with promises of revolutionising the agricultural landscape. 'With the decline in rice imports from 805,000 metric tonnes in 2021 to 440,000 metric tonnes in 2023, the potential impact of WRIFAG in reducing imports and boosting local production cannot be overstated. Together, we can transform the rice indus try in Ghana and create a legacy of food security and economic independence.' Torgbui Gbordzor VII, Dufia of Klenormadi reiterated the crucial role of agriculture in driving industrialisation and job creation and called on governments to prioritise agriculture saying, 'Putting agriculture first means good roads, re-introduction of subsidies and reduction of import duties on agriculture machines and equipment.' Mr Michael Agbetsiafa, President of WRIFAG said the decision to come together was based on the understanding that 'teamwork makes the dream work' assuring, 'we shall continue to work together to ensure food security at all times.' Some WRIFAG members who spoke to Ghana News Agency at the launch said with the establishment of WRIFAG, a new dawn had broken in their life asking, while they, the ordinary people were playing their role, the country's leadership ought to play their part. The launch which brought together farmers and key personalities from including farmer-based organisations, and replete with cultural performances and poetry recitals, was held on the theme, 'Agriculture Revolution: A Sine Qua Non for Industrial Transformation in Ghana-The Role of WRIFAG,' Source: Ghana News Agency