Ghana invested GH¢2.8b in PFJ Phase 1 but continued to import high quantities of food - Ghana Business News

Ghana invested GH¢2.8 billion in the first phase of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) initiative. Despite this, the country still imports large amounts of grains and staple foods.

Dr. Amos Rutherford Azinu, a Seed Business Executive at Legacy Crop Improvement Centre (LCIC), discussed PFJ's mixed results. He noted that while some crops saw increased production, self-sufficiency was not achieved.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Dr. Azinu identified key challenges facing PFJ. Poor storage infrastructure caused post-harvest losses of 20 to 30 percent before products reached markets. Insufficient processing capacity also limited the conversion of raw produce into storable goods.

He explained that distribution bottlenecks hindered efficient movement from farms to cities. Additionally, reliance on subsidies created unsustainable costs instead of lasting agricultural systems. Limited market integration failed to connect increased production with commercial buyers effectively.

Launched in 2017, Ghana's Planting for Food and Jobs initiative aimed to transform agriculture significantly. As President John Dramani Mahama's government prepares to implement the Feed Ghana project, Dr. Azinu emphasized learning from PFJ’s shortcomings.

He advised that investments should cover storage, processing, and distribution as well as farm inputs. Creating integrated value chains would help reduce imports by ensuring increased production is utilized effectively.

Dr. Azinu stressed prioritizing climate resilience in agriculture. Policymakers should focus on drought-resistant crops, irrigation systems, and sustainable practices to address climate volatility affecting farming in Ghana.

He also called for data-driven implementation strategies. Improved data collection would allow targeted interventions rather than blanket solutions across the sector.

Stronger collaboration with private agribusinesses is essential to address processing and distribution gaps hindering PFJ’s success. A strategic import substitution approach is necessary as well.

Dr. Azinu argued for a clear strategy targeting high-import crops with strong domestic potential to optimize resources effectively. Reflecting on the GH¢2.8 billion investment in PFJ, he emphasized that agricultural development must encompass more than just production.

For Feed Ghana to succeed, it must consider the entire agrarian ecosystem beyond crop yields alone. Discussions about agricultural transformation remain crucial as stakeholders aim to enhance food security and reduce reliance on imports in Ghana.