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Modern Methods Will Enhance Agric Sector - Minister

The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Mr. Kwesi Ahwoi says the only way Ghana‘s agricultural sector can be successful is only when it changes its existing status quo.

Speaking at the sixth dialogue of the 2nd Ghana Policy Fair which addressed the theme: “Assessing Ghana’s Effort Towards Agricultural Revolution”, he noted that the time has come for farmers and the agricultural sector to embrace modern methods of farming in order to increase the country’s productivity and move the sector to a higher level.

Mr. Ahwoi explained that, though the country has for the last two years seen a radical change in the agricultural sector, farmers must also complement the effort by moving away from subsistent farming practices and welcome mechanised farming so as to generate greater income.

The Minister indicated that currently, his ministry is issuing out fertilizer at a subsidised rate to farmers, engaging farmers in farm management and encouraging farmers to purchase mechanised equipment. The less privileged have not been left out; some private sectors have been encouraged to support them by acquiring machines for them at affordable rates. About 85 districts have so far benefited from the initiative, he added.

Mr. Ahwoi announced that his ministry has a medium term investment plan from 2011 to 2015. Some of the projects to benefit from the investment plan are sustaining the management of land and the environment, review of the sector’s performance and provide land and improved seeds to the youth in agriculture.

A former Presidential Candidate of the Reform Party, Mr. Goosie Tanoh, was of the view that the agricultural sector will be successful if government plays a major role in the sector.

He stated that a lot of hindrances such as availability of land, financing and the cultural belief that farming is for the rural folk are contributing factors to low productivity in agriculture.

Mr. Tanoh called for the creation of polices in relation to competition with other countries so the country will be at par with others in exportation.

The President of the National Farmers and Fishermen Award Winners Association, Mr. Philip Abayori, disclosed that the down trend of agriculture has caused havoc to farmers as resources have not been available.

He called for the strengthening and re-aliening of some polices and institutions as well as a farmer based organisation in order to make available resources and improved seeds for production at a subsidised rate.

Mr. Abayori appealed to the private sector to support the agricultural sector.
 
 
 
Source: ISD (Chantal Aidoo)

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