Agri National

‘Planting For Food And Job’ Policy Will Enhance Food Security – Lecturer

The Head of Agric Department at the University of Cape Coast, Professor Elvis Asare Bediako has lauded the planting for food and job policy (PFJ), saying if well implemented with the needed mechanisms in place, will enhance food sustainability and security.

Government launched the PFJ policy earlier this year, announcing it will be hinged on five main pillars. They are provision of improved seeds, the supply of fertilisers, provision of extension services, improved marketing strategies and the use of e-Agriculture.

The programme aims to increase maize production by 30 percent, rice by 49 percent, soybeans by 25 percent and sorghum by 28 percent.

According to Dr. Bediako however, government per the planting for food and job policy has provided improved seeds such as maize, soya beans, sorghum, and cassava and has even subsidized fertilizer and other inputs for efficient and effective piloting.

He adds that the purpose can however never be achieved if the necessary mechanisms are not put in place to ensure the success of the programme.

Speaking in an interview with Captain Adabugar during the Akuafo Sesen segment of the morning show on Monday to express his take on the planting for food and job policy, Mr. Asare nevertheless extolled the virtues of the programme as a practical means of creating jobs.

“The idea is very good because it is going to create more jobs directly and indirectly,” he said.

Mr. Besiako however called on government to raise its education for beneficiaries of the program to understand its purpose.

“Government needs to improve upon its education and sensitization so that the youth and the farmers who are to benefit from the programme can really understand the purpose and the benefits of the policy so that they can be easily lured into farming to make a better living since farming is now a very lucrative business,” he underscored.

Source: Prince Paul Amuzu/ritefmonline.org/princeamuzu667@gmail.com

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