Agric: Govt adopting smart tech solutions
-To reduce challenges hindering sustainable, resilient food system- Dr. Acheampong
By Elvis DARKO, Accra
Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, has declared a strategic shift towards consistent and pragmatic smart solutions to tackle the challenges gripping the nation’s agricultural sector.
Focusing on the forthcoming Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) Phase II, the minister unveiled an ambitious plan to revolutionize agriculture in Ghana.
Smart solutions to drive agricultural transformation
Emphasizing the significance of smart solutions, Dr. Acheampong outlined the implementation of a smart input credit system for farmers.
This initiative is poised to enhance the efficiency of all value chain actors involved in the production and processing of the 11 selected commodity value chains.
The second phase of the PFJ programme is meticulously designed to target eleven key commodity value chains, ranging from staple crops like maize, rice, soybean, and sorghum to vegetables, roots and tubers, plantain, and poultry.
Dr. Acheampong believes that the full development of these chains will contribute significantly to the transformation of the agricultural sector in Ghana.
Game-changing initiative for sustainable agriculture
Terming PFJ Phase II as a “game-changer,” the minister expressed optimism that the initiative would effectively eliminate or reduce the challenges hindering the achievement of a sustainable and resilient food system.
Farmers achieving less than 60% of potential crop yields
Speaking at the Western Regional celebration of Farmers Day at Tarkwa, Dr. Acheampong acknowledged low productivity as a major challenge, with many farmers achieving less than 60% of potential crop yields.
He also highlighted the issue of high post-harvest losses, ranging from 10% to as high as 70%, depending on the crop.
In response, the minister stressed the need to scale up the adoption of new and improved technologies for sustainable food security and resilience.
The theme for this year’s Farmers’ Day, “Delivering Smart Solutions for Sustainable Food Security and Resilience,” aligns with the strategic focus of PFJ Phase II, according to Dr. Acheampong.
He underscored the necessity to rebuild the nation’s food systems fractured by the COVID-19 pandemic, geo-political crisis, and economic challenges, including high inflation and associated high costs of finance.
Targets for self-sufficiency and increased exports
Dr Acheampong revealed that specific targets have been set for each commodity under PFJ Phase II.
The goal is to attain self-sufficiency and increase exports by 2028. To ensure the achievement of these targets, a digital technology system will be deployed for continuous data collection, monitoring, and reporting.
The said concluded by highlighting the interconnectedness of the agricultural sector with various challenges facing the nation.
He urged stakeholders, including farmers, input dealers, financial institutions, traders, processors, chiefs, youth, and women, to wholeheartedly embrace PFJ Phase II, recognizing its potential as a game-changer in the agricultural space.
Dr. Acheampong, called for a paradigm shift in Ghana’s agricultural practices, emphasizing the need for a resilient food system in the face of future challenges.
He underscored the transformative nature of the second phase of PFJ initiative and expressed optimism about the potential of PFJ Phase II to revolutionize the agricultural sector.
Describing it as a ‘game-changer,’ he highlighted its pivotal role in addressing challenges hindering the establishment of a resilient food system.
Contributing to national food security
The Minister stressed the importance of the PFJ initiative in contributing to the country’s food security.
By promoting the cultivation of key crops and fostering sustainable agricultural practices, Dr. Acheampong said the programme aims to boost overall productivity in a complex and integrated sector.
Interconnected food system for economic impact
The Minister hailed PFJ Phase II as a framework for the interconnectedness of value chain actors, where smart solutions can be seamlessly delivered in an efficient and effective manner.
He noted that this approach would require the production of adequate raw materials for industry, leading to job creation and minimizing post-harvest losses.
He called on all stakeholders, including farmers, input dealers, financial institutions, traders, processors, chiefs, the youth, and women, to wholeheartedly embrace the initiative.
Enabling policy environment for financial boost
Dr. Acheampong expressed hope that the enabling policy environment assured by the government would trigger increased financing to the private sector, facilitating the achievement of targeted objectives.
Reflecting on his seven-month experience as the sector minister, Dr. Acheampong appreciated the crucial role of farmers and value chain actors in contributing to the sector’s objectives.
The Minister emphasized that PFJ 2.0 serves as a driving force for generating lasting employment and fostering financial independence.
He highlighted the program’s proactive approach to addressing obstacles hindering youth participation in agriculture as a viable business and means of livelihood.
Call for stakeholder collaboration
Dr. Acheampong encouraged stakeholders to facilitate contractual arrangements between aggregators, farmers, and other service providers.
He appealed to all gathered stakeholders to recognize PFJ Phase II as a game-changer in the agricultural space.
Expressing sympathy for farmers and value chain actors affected by recent natural disasters, Dr. Acheampong assured that plans were underway to provide support; ensuring affected farmers could resume their activities by the next planting season.
