By Mavis Paintsil, Accra
The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has launched an agricultural acceleration initiative aimed at transforming Ghana’s agricultural landscape.
The initiative, the “Feed Ghana Programme,” seeks to boost agricultural production to feed Ghanaians, provide raw materials for agro-industries, and create jobs. Its broader objectives include ensuring food security, alleviating poverty, and stabilising food prices.
The minister explained that the programme is necessary due to Ghana’s over-reliance on food imports, which currently exceed $2 billion annually. This dependency poses significant risks to economic stability, with food imports alone costing around $300 million and exposing the country to external market fluctuations and currency instability.
Key component of the initiative is the Poultry Industry Revitalisation Programme, which aims to increase poultry production in collaboration with the Poultry Farmers’ Association. The project will provide incentives to promote household poultry farming and boost domestic consumption.
He further noted that challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, limited access to financing, and inefficient farming techniques continue to hinder the growth of Ghana’s agricultural sector.
The programme will establish farmers’ service centres, develop farm banks, promote crop cultivation, support urban farming, revitalise the poultry industry, and increase local raw material production. These efforts are designed to generate sustainable employment while empowering young people and women.
“The primary goal of the Feed Ghana Programme is straightforward: to transform Ghana’s agriculture sector, reduce our import dependency, and boost both domestic production and export. We aim to ensure food security and improve nutritional outcomes while creating sustainable employment and empowering our youth and women,” he stated.
Mr Opoku highlighted that the programme will focus on various agricultural development initiatives, including the adoption of smart farming techniques, the cultivation of key crops such as soybeans, support for urban and peri-urban vegetable farmers, and the revitalisation of the poultry sector.
Under the “Feed the Industry” scheme, the initiative will also work towards increasing local raw material production for animal feed manufacturing, ensuring a stable supply of agricultural products for industrial use.
Mr Opoku further announced a national oil palm industry policy, which will offer incentives to support palm oil production and develop the value chain. The policy aims to address Ghana’s consumption deficit, promote commercial plantations, and position the country competitively in the global palm oil market.
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