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President John Dramani Mahama has stated that Government alone cannot employ the teeming unemployed, hence, the need for the youth to form groups to embrace agriculture. He said there are opportunities in the agricultural sector so Government would continue to support all efforts targeted at the youth to get them involved in agriculture, since most of the farmers were ageing. President Mahama said this in a speech read on his behalf by the Deputy Upper West Regional Minister, Mr. Abu Kabiebata Kansangbata, during the celebration of this year�s �Kobine Festival� of the Chiefs and people of the Lawra Traditional Area, in Lawra. The festival is being celebrated with the theme: �Reducing Poverty through Science and Technology in Agriculture�. President Mahama said the youth shied away from agriculture because of the way farmers were perceived, adding that, that perception can be changed if new technologies are embraced to boost productivity and ensure value for money. He therefore urged them to take advantage of the �Enhanced Guinea Fowl Programme in Northern Ghana� which had provided a demonstration and breeding centre in Babile in the Lawra District. President Mahama noted that Government was focused on modernizing agriculture and strengthening the partnership between agricultural investors and farmers through the use of enhanced technology, provision of capital as well as linking farmers to ready markets. Naa Puowele Karbo III, the Paramount Chief of the Lawra Traditional Area, said the �Kobine Festival� which was a legacy from their forefathers was celebrated each year to renew family ties, discuss successes and failures, to enable them to rededicate themselves to work harder in the next farming season. He said the agricultural sector in the area had what it takes to reduce the pervasive poverty in the area if concerted action was taken to address the nagging problems and challenges militating against increased productivity of farmers. Naa Karbo said in order to seek answers to some of these nagging problems and challenges; a platform was created for scientists, researchers, staff of the District Directorate of Agriculture and the Traditional Council to engage with a cross section of farmers to share information on climate change. The Paramount Chief appealed to the President for support to establish a Teacher Training College and an FM Station to facilitate the speedy development of the area.