Following a stakeholders’ workshop on the second phase of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ 2.0) program, farmers have urged the government to suspend its implementation for the current year to forestall potential underwhelming outcomes. They proposed that this time be utilized for thorough preparations to ensure a smoother rollout of the program in the subsequent year.
Conducted in Tamale and organized by the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) with support from OXFAM, the workshop brought together selected members of PFAG and Heads of District Department of Agriculture from Tamale, Saboba, Yendi, Gushegu, and Chereponi in the Northern and North East Regions. Its aim was to inform stakeholders about the commencement of PFJ 2.0, identify existing challenges, and seek solutions.
Several issues were highlighted during the workshop, including difficulties in the registration process due to the unavailability of tablets for Agricultural Extension Agents and network challenges, leading to delays in capturing farm coordinates. Furthermore, less than 10% of farmers in various districts had been registered, and input providers had not yet imported their products despite the imminent farming season.
Participants suggested minimizing political influence in the program’s implementation and entrusting technical staff from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) and Department of Agriculture at decentralized levels to manage it. They argued that excessive political interference resulted in frequent policy reviews, hindering smooth implementation.
Madam Hawa Musah, Director of the Northern Regional Department of Agriculture, emphasized the importance of district heads visiting farmers, especially chiefs, to explain PFJ 2.0 and the registration process. She urged swift resolution of registration challenges to ensure timely enrollment of more farmers.
Mr. Bismark Owusu Nortey, Acting Executive Director of PFAG, noted a consensus from the workshop that PFJ 2.0 should be piloted this year instead of fully implemented. He announced plans for similar workshops nationwide, with insights gathered to be compiled into a policy brief for engagement with MoFA.
