Africa-Press – Ghana. The Government says it has taken steps to transform vegetable farming in Ghana with initiatives aimed at promoting year-round production to boost food security and farmers’ incomes.
Mr Bright Demordzi, the Coordinator of the Feed Ghana programme, said this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency during a donation of 1,000 fertilizers to some farmers in Accra on Thursday.
The fertilizers, donated by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) was to support farmers in the Adentan and Ga East Municipalities.
The plan for year-round farming includes establishing 50 farm service centres across the country by the end of 2025, to offer expert advice and training to farmers on best farming practices, crop management, and pest control.
In addition to irrigation facilities, farmers would also be provided with high-quality and climate resistant seeds, fertilizers, and other essential inputs to ensure increased productivity.
According to the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), in 2022 alone, Ghana imported goods worth US$13 billion, with key items such as rice (US$1bn), sugar (US$200 million), and tomatoes (US$400m) dominating the list.
Mr Demordzi said the Government would use scientific ways to improve vegetable production by supporting farmers with improved seeds, tractors, irrigation facilities and technical support.
“Agriculture is to be managed by science. That’s why we are working with the Crop Research Institute to come out with seeds that can stand the test of time under a controlled environment – greenhouse – for farmers to produce from January to December,” he said.
Ghana’s night temperatures are high compared to Burkina Faso, making the country produce tomatoes from January to December without any difficulty, whereas Ghana experienced favourable conditions from May to August, he explained.
The Feed Ghana Programme Coordinator noted that the greenhouses would enable sunlight to enter and warm the interior of the structures for vegetable farming, optimising plant growth, irrespective of external weather conditions.
“We are solving the issues of agricultural mechanisation. With the farmer service centres, there’s going to be a complete set of equipment that will take care of their service issues – access to farm inputs and implements and advise,” he said.
“We want the farmers to increase their yield and get more money. We want money in the pocket of our farmers,” Mr Demordzi said, encouraging farmers to form cooperatives to easily access government and private sector assistance.
Mr John Kofi Setor Dumelo, the Deputy Minister, MoFA, pledged the Government’s commitment to providing a ready market for farmers to reduce post-harvest losses, enhance food security and improve the livelihoods of farmers.
He pledged the government’s commitment to provide a ready market for the produce of farmers, indicating that it would reduce post-harvest losses, enhance food security and improve the livelihoods of farmers.
“The Government is resetting Ghana and would provide the necessary support to all farmers to boost local food production for consumption.”
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