Agri National

Govt to Generate More Wealth in Agric Sector

The government of Ghana is gearing up efforts in a bid to generate more wealth in the Agricultural sector to be able to improve the livelihood of our farmers and fisher folk as well as help grow the national economy. According to the minister-designate for agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, it is in recognition of this that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in its manifesto of 2016, promised to modernize agriculture.

This he noted would be achieved through plans to launch a national campaign with the slogan; ‘Planting for food and jobs’.

Mr. Afriyie made this known at the 68th annual New Year School and Conference of the University of Ghana.  According to him, the programme is scheduled take off in March 2017, and the next farming season will create over 750,000 jobs for the youth.

He challenged stakeholders assembled, to bring their expertise to bare in the deliberations, particularly regarding the use of ICT to accelerate the growth of agriculture in order to cope with the demands of the rapidly rising population.

“We need to generate more wealth in the Agricultural sector to be able to improve the livelihood of our farmers and fisher folk, and help grow the national economy. It is in recognition of this that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in its manifesto of 2016, promised to modernize agriculture. In this regard, the government of President Nana Akufo-Addo plans to launch a national campaign with the slogan; ‘Planting for food and jobs,’ Mr. Afriyie assured.

He added that the campaign is designed to encourage all citizens, both urban and rural, to take up farming as a full time and part time activity. According to him, it is intended to structure it along the lines of the ‘operation Feed Yourself Programme’ in the 1970s, adding that this year, the spearhead of the campaign will involve the production of rice, soya beans, sorghum and vegetables while other crops will be adopted in subsequent years.

Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto believes the objectives of the Operation Feed Yourself campaign will be revived through the new campaign.

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