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The Brong-Ahafo Region has a stockpile of 104,457 mini (50 kilogramme) bags of maize at the Wenchi and Sunyani collection points. Mr Eric Opoku, the Regional Minister and Member of Parliament for Asunafo South, who made this known at the 30th Regional farmers� day celebration at Derma in the Tano South District, said 34,933 of the stock have been released. He said 69,524 bags have been left under the national food security programme meant to mop up excess foodstuff in the market during glut period for storage to improve food security in the country. Mr Opoku said eight agricultural mechanisation centres have been established in the Region with 48 tractors supplied on credit basis under a nationwide programme and drive towards the mechanisation of agriculture . Touching on the theme of the celebration �Eat what we grow�, Mr Opoku said besides the health and nutritional benefits of eating fresh local foods, the growing and development of the campaign would translate into other tangible benefits like job creation , poverty reduction and consequently increase national economic growth. He stated that patronage of locally-produced goods would strengthen the national currency, reduce high import bills as well as stimulate a vibrant rural economy through the establishment and growth of agro-based industry to create jobs to the unemployed youth. Mr Opoku reminded the public to be cautious in setting of fires in the bush in the dry season since uncontrolled fires often claim lives and also destroy properties, he added.