The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, has announced that the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) programme is set to enroll two million farmers by the end of 2024, marking a significant expansion in its second phase.
This ambitious goal comes as the programme celebrates its success in registering 200,000 farmers within just two months of opening registrations. The announcement was made during a ceremony in Accra, where Madam Charity Akortia, the 2023 National Best Farmer, was presented with an award.
“The Second Phase of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) programme 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. The government is committed to promoting agriculture, supporting farmers, and achieving food self-sufficiency.”
Dr. Bryan Acheampong, Minister for Food and Agriculture
A key focus of the PFJ 2.0 initiative is to address the critical gap in poultry production, which currently meets only 5% of the national consumption requirement of 324,047 MT in 2022. Despite the country’s potential to be self-sufficient in poultry, local production falls short, necessitating substantial imports.
To combat this, Dr. Bryan Acheampong revealed that the Ministry has taken steps to import 18,000,000 day-old chicks and distribute them to farmers this year. This move is expected to significantly increase domestic chicken production, raising the country’s self-sufficiency rate from 15% to 23% by next year. The goal is to eliminate chicken imports entirely within the next five years, a move that could have profound implications for Ghana’s food security and economy.
In addition to poultry, Dr. Bryan Acheampong stressed that the government has also expanded its efforts to improve crop yields through the enhancement of irrigation infrastructure. By adding 25,000 hectares to the existing irrigation facilities, farmers are now better equipped to cultivate crops more efficiently, contributing to the overall food security of the nation.
The ceremony also highlighted the achievements of Madam Charity Akortia, who was recognized as the 2023 National Best Farmer. Madam Akortia plans to use her prize money to expand Greenworth Farms, demonstrating her dedication to sustainable agriculture and community development. Her story serves as an inspiration to other farmers, encouraging them to invest in agriculture and take advantage of government initiatives to improve their farming practices and increase food production.
Alhaji Yakubu-Tali, the Managing Director of the Agriculture Development Bank, underscored the bank’s commitment to supporting farmers and promoting economic growth and national development. He praised Madam Akortia’s plans to expand her farm and reiterated the bank’s readiness to assist farmers in achieving their goals.
The Planting for Food and Jobs programme represents a significant stride towards enhancing Ghana’s agricultural sector and ensuring food security. With the enrollment of two million farmers and the focus on boosting poultry production and expanding irrigation infrastructure, the government is laying the groundwork for a more resilient and self-sufficient agricultural landscape.
The recognition of Madam Charity Akortia and the support from the Agriculture Development Bank further underscore the collective effort to transform Ghana’s agriculture sector and drive national development.
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