Dr Samuel Hodor Mensah, an optometrist and farmer, has suggested that government paid critical attention to the agricultural sector to solidify the gains of the Ghana Cedi.
Dr Mensah, 2024 Eastern Regional Best Farmer made the call in an interview with the Ghana News Agency at Awutu Bawjiase.
He noted that when rigorously pursued, agriculture, aside ensuring food security for the nation, could also feed industries with constant raw materials for processing and create more jobs for the youth.
Dr Mensah is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sahmen Glory Company, an integrated farm located in Mepom, near Asamankese in the Eastern Region.
He urged the government to help empower the local farmers to increase productivity.
Government, he said, should also empower rural industries with assurance packages, to help boost development in rural communities.
Sahmen Glory also processes coconut into other products including copra, coconut oils (hot pressed and cold pressed) as well as offering services in agricultural consultancy and plantation management.
It provides business and technical advice to farmers on small and medium plantation management.
Dr Mensah said government must be able to invest hugely in agriculture which he described as the “real sector,” and support the youth to develop interest by improving rural infrastructure, maintain roads leading to farms and build the capacity of farmers with modern agricultural practices to produce more with less time for industries and services.
Affordable credits with low interest rate and time to repay must be made available, he indicated, he said, adding that, research must form an integral part of agriculture in the country to derive the best out of it.
Using Upper West Akim District of the Eastern Region as a case study on land issues, Dr Mensa indicated that because of the proximity of the area to Accra, large tract of land had been purchased by estate developers.
This he noted, was a source of worry, with its attendant sand winning activities at the expense of many farmlands, which was pushing farmers out of business.
“The government must put a regulatory framework mechanism in place to check our land tenure system so that anyone who bends the rules is drastically punished to serve as deterrent to others, safeguard farmers’ investments,” Dr Mensah suggested.
He underscored the need for the government to establish a centralised data system for commodities for the preparation of a database in country.
With such data, therefore, the system would help provide a link for all the constituencies in the country to know where to get what at a particular season.
Agric Directors must be at the forefront to provide information on commodities in their areas to ensure ready market for farm produce to help curtail loses and improve the living standards of farmers.
“It is a demand and supply chain, so once as a country we are able to work it well, it is going to help the farmers, the consumers and through purchase and supply will help the government as well in terms of revenue,” he added.
SOURCE: Access Agric
