The Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture in Charge of Crops, Hon. Yaw Frimpong Addo, has highlighted the crucial role of the agricultural sector in driving economic transformation in Ghana. As the country’s population is estimated to increase by 4.3 million people between 2022 and 2027, a well-developed agricultural industry will continue to provide food and jobs to stimulate economic growth. The sector currently employs over 45 percent of the population and contributes about 21 percent of the gross domestic product.
However, the sustainable growth and development of the sector are being impeded by low on-farm productivity and production, poor availability and access to quality agro-inputs, and limited access to credit. To overcome these challenges, the deputy minister called for strategic interventions to improve yields and production of food crops through an improved input supply system.
Speaking at the USAID-Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) Partnership for Inclusive Agriculture Transformation in Africa (PIATA) learning event in Accra, Hon.Frimpong Addo emphasized the need for investment in research and breeding, improving seed companies’ access to foundation seed, and coordination of investments in the seed industry to ensure availability of high-quality and affordable seeds on a timely basis for smallholder farmers in Africa.
He also highlighted recent developments in the input subsector, including the establishment of the national seed and fertiliser councils and the emergence of a more diversified commercial seed and fertilizer sector, which enhance Ghana’s ability to provide quality seed in commercial quantity for its major food crops. However, the seed production system in Ghana is still confronted with a few challenges arising from limited supply of breeder seed from research institutions.
Therefore, the Deputy Minister called for strategic interventions to address these challenges and chart a pathway for accelerated development of the sector, which he believes is critical in driving economic transformation in Ghana.
BY :AGRIWATCH REPORTER
