Agric Sector Turnaround Strategy Will Work – Bryan

Bryan Acheampong with Vice President Bawumia, President Akufo-Addo the National Best Farmer and others cutting the cake

Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, has said the turnaround strategy being adopted in agriculture will result in the transformation of the sector.

He said after a review of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ), and the launch of Phase II of the programme – a transformative agenda focusing on key commodity value chains, agriculture in Ghana would certainly be successful.

Addressing a gathering of farmers and award winners at the 39th National Farmers’ Day awards night in Tarkwa, Dr. Acheampong assured Ghanaians that the PFJ 2.0 programme would address the pertinent challenges of the sector and foster increased private sector participation for agricultural development.

The new PFJ moves focus on implementing an efficient input credit system. The programme also emphasises smart solutions for sustainable food security and resilience, utilising digital technology and interconnectedness within the value chain.

“Under PFJ Phase II, eleven commodities have been prioritised with targets for self-sufficiency and increased exports by 2028. PFJ 2.0 will utilise digital technology for monitoring and reporting to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of the programme,” he said.

According to Dr. Acheampong, his ministry is aware of the high production potential of the Western Region in most of the 11 priority commodities under the PFJ 2.0.

He said PFJ 2.0 would scale up the adoption of new and improved technologies to contribute to sustainable food security and resilience by 2028.

It is private-sector driven and focuses on eleven selected commodity value chains which when fully developed can contribute to the transformation of the sector. These are grains – maize, rice, soybean, and sorghum; vegetables – tomato, pepper, and onion; roots and tubers – cassava and yam; plantain and poultry.

The minister, therefore, charged all to support the implementation of the programme and encouraged all farmers who want to be part of it to register through their designated Agricultural Extension Agents (AEAs) who would provide technical support for the implementation of the programme.

A Daily Guide Report

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