Mr Kwesi Ahwoi, Minister of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), has urged the youth of Bole to embrace the block farming project which is expected to take off soon, to enhance their livelihoods and country's food security. He gave the advice at this year's 9th edition of the Annual Seidu-Bele Yam Festival by the Chiefs and people of Mandari, a farming community in the Bole District of the Northern Region. He noted that despite the fact that Nigeria remains the world leading producer of yam, statistics at MOFA indicate that Ghana is the biggest world exporter of quality yam with Bole alone producing about 37,000 tons annually. The Minister advised the youth to emulate the exemplary life-style of Alhaji Seidu Bele, an eminent local farmer, because he has made Bole proud whilst urging them to develop interest in farming especially yam, instead of migrating to the urban areas in search of non-existing jobs. The Minister said the government had secured about 100 hectres of land for the cultivation of maize at Signyekura and Mankuma while another 50 hectres of land has been acquired at Bamboi for block farming in rice. Mr Ahwoi appealed to the chiefs and landowners of the area to release more lands for the programme to benefit the youth. He lauded the people for keeping the peace, adding, that Gonjaland is noted to be one of the most peaceful areas in the country. Source: GNA