Source: Africa Publicity
Ghana’s Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has announced a $1 million Ghanaian government initiative to support over 1,500 peasant farmers in northern Ghana as part of the Feed Ghana Project.
The initiative aims to strengthen vegetable production and ensure sustainable livelihoods for farmers working on the margins of the agricultural sector.
Empowering Grassroots Farmers
Opoku emphasized the government’s commitment to empowering grassroots farmers, particularly those already involved in tomato and vegetable cultivation. “Some are already into tomato production,” he noted, “so it’s a matter of our team identifying them and supplying the needed logistics.” The Ministry will formalize the support package through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Apex Bank, targeting registered farmers and cooperatives.
Technical Support and Productivity Boost
Beyond financial assistance, the government is providing technical support to improve productivity. This includes distributing high-quality seeds and essential farming inputs for all-year-round cultivation. “Our technical team has come up with the best quality, and we are supplying that to our farmers,” Opoku said, expressing confidence that Ghana can outpace regional competitors like Burkina Faso in vegetable farming.
Broader Agricultural Development Strategy
The Feed Ghana Project is a core part of the government’s agricultural development strategy, seeking to reduce import dependence, create employment, and enhance food security. This initiative aligns with President John Mahama’s vision to revitalize the agricultural sector, who recently highlighted the shame of Ghana’s $400 million annual chicken imports and launched plans to support local production.
A Step towards Self-Sufficiency
Opoku assured the public that this initiative is just the beginning of sustained efforts to revitalize the agricultural sector from the grassroots. By supporting peasant farmers and promoting sustainable agriculture practices, Ghana can move closer to achieving food self-sufficiency and reducing reliance on imports.
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