In a decisive move to pivot Ghana toward a self-sustaining agrarian economy, the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku, toured the Savelugu region this week to solidify the government’s Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda (AETA).
The visit, characterized by the graduation of 230 local equipment fabricators, served as the launchpad for a massive injection of machinery and capital into the northern sector under the Mahama administration’s signature “Feed Ghana Programme.”
The Minister’s mission in Savelugu underscores a shift from traditional manual farming to a technologically driven sector. With the northern regions serving as the nation’s breadbasket, the focus is now on ensuring that the tools for production are not only available but manufactured and maintained locally by skilled youth.
“l participated in the graduation of some 230 individuals trained by the World Food Programme in fabricating agricultural equipment in the Savelugu region, an initiative designed to enhance food security stability and combat hunger”
Hon. Eric Opoku, Minister for Food and Agriculture
Addressing a gathering of traditional leaders, agribusiness professionals, and farmers, Hon. Opoku revealed that “Phase 1 of the national mechanization drive has officially commenced.” This includes the strategic importation of 660 tractors to be distributed across the country.
The Minister however noted that the long-term vision involves a more decentralized approach to equipment access. To bridge the current accessibility gap, the government is moving to establish 50 farming service centers across 270 districts.
These hubs will act as specialized depots where smallholder farmers can hire machinery at subsidized rates, effectively removing the high cost of ownership that has historically stalled agricultural growth in rural Ghana.
“His Excellency John Dramani Mahama is prioritizing agricultural mechanization in Northern Ghana, with plans to establish 50 farming service centers across 270 districts as part of the ‘Feed Ghana Programme’ to improve farmers’ access to machinery”
Hon. Eric Opoku, Minister for Food and Agriculture
A €47 Million Boost
Beyond machinery, the Minister highlighted a massive infrastructure overhaul aimed at eliminating post-harvest losses and seasonal dependence, noting that Ghana has successfully secured €47 million in funding to bolster irrigation systems.
This financial package is earmarked for the construction of 10 new dams and the rehabilitation of 8 existing ones, ensuring year-round farming.
According to Hon. Opoku, a significant portion of this investment will also target 250 solar-powered boreholes, with a dedicated focus on empowering women farmers engaged in tomato production.
To ensure this produce reaches the market efficiently, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) is conducting feasibility studies for 1,000 kilometers of agricultural roads, designed to link farm gates directly to major trade corridors.
Hon. Opoku further added that to prevent the perennial “glut and waste,” cycle, the National Bufferstock has been fortified with an additional GHS 200 million. This liquidity injection is intended to allow the state to purchase surplus produce from farmers during peak seasons, providing a guaranteed market and price stability.
The success of these interventions, however, hinges on land availability. In Savelugu, traditional leaders have signaled a historic partnership by committing to release vast tracts of land for the “Feed Ghana,” initiative.
In return, the Minister has pledged a consistent and timely supply of fertilizers and technical support to ensure these lands remain productive and profitable for the local communities.
READ ALSO: Gold Coast Refinery Signals New Era of Value Addition
