President Mahama launches Feed Ghana Programme

The government has launched a new agriculture initiative called the "Feed Ghana Programme." This program aims to transform the agricultural sector in Ghana.

The initiative focuses on increasing food production. It will provide raw materials for agro-processing factories and create jobs for young people.

It includes sub-projects on vegetables, grains, poultry, oil palm, tubers, and other import substitutes. The goal is to reduce reliance on imports and promote exports.

President John Dramani Mahama launched the program in Techiman, Bono East Region. He believes it will significantly improve the agricultural landscape and support farmers.

Importation Issues

President Mahama noted that this initiative is vital. Currently, Ghana spends over $2 billion annually on food imports. This situation threatens economic stability and exposes the country to market fluctuations.

He mentioned challenges like poor infrastructure and limited financing hinder growth in agriculture. The initiative aims to increase local raw material production for animal feed manufacturing.

It will also strengthen connections between smallholder farmers and commercial farmers. This will help ensure access to inputs, technical support, and guaranteed markets.

Holistic Approach

President Mahama emphasized a holistic approach to modernizing agriculture. He highlighted the importance of value chain improvements for better service delivery.

He stated that Ghana must turn its agricultural potential into real progress. The aim is to feed Ghanaians, create jobs, and boost incomes.

"The time has come for bold actions," he said. Agriculture should be central to national economic transformation.

The Feed Ghana Programme falls under the broader Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda (AETA). It seeks to modernize agriculture while creating jobs and enhancing food security.

Food Security Goals

The main objective of this project is food security. It aims to alleviate poverty among farmers and attract youth and women into agriculture.

Under this program, the government plans to establish farmers’ service centers and create farm banks. It will also promote crop cultivation and support urban farming initiatives.

Key commodities include maize, rice, soya bean, tomatoes, onions, cassava, plantain, and yam. Other priority crops are cocoa, mangoes, rubber, coconut, shea nuts, coffee, cashew nuts, oil palm ginger, and cotton.

Livestock industries such as poultry are also a focus of this initiative.

Maximizing Production

President Mahama explained that implementing this program would maximize food production using smart agricultural systems.

Farmer service centers will offer mechanization services along with quality inputs and training for farmers.

Farm banks will support young entrepreneurs in agriculture while enhancing national food production efforts.

Additionally, there will be a Grains and Legumes Project aimed at increasing maize and rice production for consumption as well as export opportunities.

Poultry Industry Focus

President Mahama expressed concern about chicken imports costing nearly $400 million annually. To address this issue he introduced the Poultry Industry Revitalisation Programme.

"This should make us ashamed," he stated regarding high chicken imports from abroad.

The government plans to collaborate with the Poultry Farmers’ Association to boost local production through support for hatcheries and processing centers.

This year’s goal includes registering 50 anchor farmers who can produce four million birds or 10 thousand metric tonnes of chicken annually.

An additional plan involves registering 55 thousand households across Ghana so each can produce 500 birds yearly.

This effort could lead to over one million birds produced annually which would improve nutrition for families led by women.

Encouraging Vegetable Production

The government prioritizes vegetable production too; households will be encouraged to grow their own vegetables.

Students are urged to consider careers in agriculture as part of self-reliance efforts.

Palm Oil Policy Introduction

President Mahama announced a National Palm Oil Industry policy during the launch event.

This policy aims at providing incentives throughout the value chain from cultivation through export.

Agro-processing zones with irrigation systems will attract private investment in agricultural production.

"The policy addresses our consumption deficit while promoting commercial plantations," he added regarding global competitiveness in palm oil markets.

Call for Support

Minister of Food and Agriculture Eric Opoku urged Ghanaians to embrace this initiative fully.

He pointed out that Ghana spends significant money importing tomatoes from Burkina Faso or onions from Niger when these can be produced locally.

Ghana has fertile lands suitable for producing various food items needed domestically including those required by agro-processing factories.

Bono East Regional Minister Francis Owusu Antwi praised Techiman as an ideal launch site due its status as a major food basket region offering great future opportunities in agriculture.