Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo has hailed what he calls “unprecedented” strides in the country’s agricultural sector, pointing to significant growth in production and resilience under his administration. Speaking at the 40th National Farmers’ Day on November 8, 2024, he underscored a commitment to building a robust agricultural system capable of tackling modern challenges, especially climate change.
Since taking office in 2017, Akufo-Addo has introduced a number of initiatives aimed at bolstering food security and improving the livelihoods of farmers and fisherfolk. “Your well-being is Ghana’s strength,” he told attendees, emphasizing that his government’s focus has been on creating jobs and wealth in the sector.
A flagship programme, Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ), launched in 2017, has been central to these efforts. PFJ seeks to modernize agriculture by boosting production and reducing reliance on imports. The scheme has provided subsidies on seeds and fertilizers and has five main components, including food crop production, export-oriented development, livestock, mechanization, and greenhouse horticulture.
In August 2023, the government expanded the initiative to PFJ 2.0, which introduced an agricultural input credit system to improve resilience and sustainability. President Akufo-Addo reported that agricultural GDP growth rose from 2.7% in 2017 to 5.7% in 2023, with staples such as maize seeing a 135% increase in production. Non-traditional agricultural exports, including products like cashew and mango, grew from $371 million in 2016 to $515 million in 2022.
The success of Ghana’s agricultural transformation has not gone unnoticed. Last year, the African Union recognized Ghana as West Africa’s top-performing agricultural nation in its biennial review.
The president cited improvements in crop yields for staples such as maize, rice, and soybeans, attributing the gains to better farming techniques and access to high-quality seeds and fertilizers. Distribution of certified seeds reportedly increased from 2,000 metric tons in 2016 to 36,000 metric tons in 2022, alongside a significant boost in fertilizer use.
Mechanization has also been a major focus, with the government distributing over 12,200 units of agricultural machinery and increasing Agricultural Mechanisation Service Centres from 67 to 176. Irrigation infrastructure has expanded too, with the irrigated area now covering over 231,000 hectares.
Akufo-Addo highlighted efforts to attract younger generations to farming, including distributing 100,000 starter kits aimed at making agriculture an attractive career option. He also stressed support for cocoa farmers through a partnership with Côte d’Ivoire, which set a Living Income Differential of $400 per ton to improve earnings.
In the fisheries sector, the recently launched Aquaculture for Food and Jobs Programme is expected to create 50,000 jobs for youth and women, while new fishing harbors in Elmina and Jamestown will enhance fish handling and storage capabilities.
President Akufo-Addo concluded by reiterating his administration’s commitment to a secure, climate-resilient agricultural future. “We have laid a foundation that will ensure food security, create jobs, and build wealth for generations to come,” he said.
Source:TheDotNews