Dr Bryan Acheampong, Minister for Food and Agriculture, has said two million farmers are expected to be enrolled in Phase II of the Planting for Food and Jobs programme by the close of 2024.
Dr Acheampong indicated that 200,000 farmers have registered since registrations opened two months ago.
The Minister disclosed this at a ceremony in Accra to present an award to Madam Charity Akortia, 2023 National Best Farmer,
According to the minister, PFJ Phase II “Is a game changer that will help eliminate or reduce the challenges that have militated against the attainment of a sustainable and resilient food system.”
Dr Acheampong noted that the government was committed to promoting agriculture, supporting farmers and achieving food self-sufficiency.
On poultry, Dr Acheampong indicated that poultry consumption plays a critical role in meeting the nutritional needs of Ghanaians, adding that the national consumption requirement for poultry in 2022 was 324,047 MT.
He said, however, that local production of poultry was only 15,000 MT (5%) and that gap was filled by importation, despite the country having the potential to be self-sufficient in poultry production.
Dr Acheampong said the urgent need for the resuscitation of the industry led the Ministry to importing 18,000,000 day-old chicks and distributing them to farmers this year.
The boost in domestic chicken production under the PFJ 2.0 broiler project is expected to raise the country’s self-sufficiency from 15% to 23% by next year, a giant step to eliminate chicken imports in the next five years.
The Minister indicated further that the government has added 25,000 hectares to the existing irrigation infrastructure, providing farmers with the necessary resources to enhance crop yields and contribute to food security.
Alhaji Yakubu-Tali, the Managing Director for the Agriculture Development Bank, lauded Madam. Akortia plans to use her prize money to expand her farm, Greenworth Farms, indicating her commitment to sustainable agriculture and community development.
He affirmed the bank’s steadfast commitment to supporting farmers and ensuring their prosperity, reinforcing their role in driving economic growth and national development.
Madam Akortia emphasised the importance of investing in agriculture and encouraged other farmers to take advantage of government initiatives and support to improve their farming practices and increase food production.