The Municipal Chief Executive has enumerated agricultural policy investments and impacts made by government in the Wenchi Municipality in improving the economic lives of the people as part of government’s resolve to improve the sector and make it the bedrock of Ghana’s economy.
Addressing a durbar of farmers, Chiefs and people to mark the Wenchi Municipal edition of the 37th National Farmers’ Day celebration at Ayigbe, Hon Alexander Obour Damoah noted that government introduced strategic policies which directly or indirectly affected activities, actors and networks in the food value chain. These include Planting for Food & Jobs, Modernisation of Agriculture, Planting for Export & Rural Development, Rearing for Food & Jobs. One District One Factory project still under consideration. The policies implemented seeks to provide neccesary conditions to increase productivity from cultivation, processing, distribution, consumption and job creation.
Government made more investments such as; recruitment and training of additional Agriculture Extension Officers, to facilitate the provision of technical assistance to farmers.
Provision of fertilizer and quality, improved and subsidized agricultural seeds and inputs for maize, tomato, pepper.
Provision of equipment and logistics such as vehicles and motorbikes to enhance movement and access to more farms for supervision.
Provision of funds for payment of allowances of Agriculture Extension Agents, Officers in various field activities.
From 2017 to date, government working through the Ministry of Food & Agriculture (MoFA) has released an amount of Seven Million, Eight Hundred and Eighteen Thousand One Hundred and Seventy-three Ghana Cedis, Ninety (GHC 7, 818, 173. 90) under the Agriculture Modernisation policy. This investment has so far benefited 3, 520 farmers.
Additionally, the Municipality benefited from a 1000 tonnes capacity warehouse sited at Food Distribution Centre under the One District One Warehouse initiative to reduce post-harvest losses and enhance food security.
The MCE further hinted that the Municipality would receive piggery stock under the Rearing for Food & Jobs policy. He called for cooperation and collaboration of stakeholders in the value chain to help monitor how these policies are fulfilling the expectations of government. He charged Agric Officers to continually devote to quality service delivery in guiding existing and potential farmers.
Hon Alexander Obour Damoah emphasised government’s commitment and continous support to put agriculture on a high pedestal.
Source: Information Services Department (ISD/WMA)
By: Stanick Sofel Amuzu Kpodo