Agri NationalNATIONAL NEWS

Gov’t Targets Creating Of More Jobs in Agric Sector

Minister for agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto is targeting the creation of 750 000 jobs in the coming season on the farms and double that to 1.5 million jobs next year. According to him, Ghana targets creating 1.5 million jobs in the next two years with plans to invest in agriculture as the West African nation seeks to produce more of its own food to cut the cost of imports.

This follows a resolution by President Akufo-Addo to boost the agricultural sector and create jobs in a country where almost half of people between 15 and 24 years are unemployed.

The minister who added that “farming is going to take off in a very big way,” noted that the programme is launching in April and will focus on raising the output of rice, corn, soya, sorghum and vegetables. “The government will supply farmers with better seed and fertilizers while training them in growing techniques in a country where most production comes from small-holder farms,” he added.

According to him, for the government’s plan to work, it must have a clear implementation strategy with key performance targets and timelines that can be measured. He was convinced that the initiatives will help Ghana to reduce its reliance on imports.

Dr. Akoto also noted that government will start to allow the use of non-GMO varieties of food that were developed by the state-controlled Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.

Source: ritefmonline.org

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