Director of crops at the Yilo Krobo Department of Agriculturre and Municipal Projects Officer for Wienca Sunshine, Mr. Francis Nii Clottey has lamented over Ghana’s lack of progress in the agricultural sector after 61 years as an independent country.
Mr. Clottey who wondered why the country still lacks behind in the sector despite the ‘several interventions’ of Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah having laid a good foundation and Kutu Acheampong’s ‘Operation feed yourself’ in 1972, both aimed at improving the agric sector said the country ought to as a matter of urgency take pragmatic steps to improve upon the sector.
“The former President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah did his part and the Former Head of State Kutu Acheampong also helped in the agricultural sector, but we failed to properly handle the equipment,” Mr. Clottey said.
He particularly expressed concern over the collapse of several interventions started by previous governments geared towards facilitating the development of the agric sector.
“There are some basics things which we have to improve upon; example, the Silos which were established are no longer functioning,” he observed.
“The metal Silos are in the bush but are not in use and infested with rodents, small colonies of stray cats and other vermin,” Mr. Clottey regretted.
The Director of Crops who urged the State to rehabilitate the abandoned silos said such facilities should be put to good use as a warehouse.
The way forward, he said is for the country to adopt the new interventions being put in place by the government.
“The way forward to improve on our agricultural sector is to accept the new interventions and also embrace the planting for food and jobs being implemented by the government” he opined.
Mr. Clottey on the other hand urged farmers to own silos by the end of each crop season to store grains.
To him, focusing on the agric sector with a positive mindset rather than seeing the sector as that for the poor man and the illiterate is the way to go.
Mr. Clottey therefore urged for a national reorientation of Ghanaians towards in order to adopt a positive attitude towards the sector.
Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto’s upon assumption of office announced various agric policies which the new government is going to offer its farmers including ‘Planting for Food and Jobs’ which he described as a Campaign for Rapid Growth.
The plan makes grand claims to promote growth in food production and create 750,000 new jobs during its first year of implementation through a focus on five areas: seed, fertilizer, extension services, marketing and e-fertilizer. The growth is expected to come from five main food crops: maize, rice, soybean, sorghum and vegetables.
Source: Nana Ama Sarfo/www.amasarfo297@gmail.com/www.ritefmonline.org
