The African Institute for Strategic Research (AISS), a public policy-oriented suppose tank based mostly in Accra, has recommended the federal government of Ghana for unveiling what it describes as a scientific and transformative grasp plan for Ghana’s agricultural sector.
The Institute, which specialises in agricultural insurance policies and methods, believes the interventions outlined by President John Dramani Mahama and being carried out by the Minister of Meals and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku, might place Ghana on the forefront of agricultural improvement in West Africa throughout the subsequent 4 years.
AISS, which monitored the federal government’s launch of the Feed Ghana Programme at Techiman within the Bono East Area on April 12, 2025, famous that the President’s dedication to “promotion of SMART Agriculture” and “institutional farming” marks a brand new period within the nation’s strategy to meals safety.
Farmers’ Service Centres
Launching the programme, President Mahama introduced that authorities will set up Farmers’ Service Centres (FSCs) nationwide. These centres, he defined, will present mechanisation companies, high quality inputs, finance, markets, processing, coaching, and technical assist.
“We are going to set up Farmers’ Service Centres nationwide to offer mechanisation companies, high quality inputs, finance, markets, major processing, coaching, and technical assist,” the President stated. “To assist younger entrepreneurs, we may even develop Farm Banks or land banks in designated agricultural zones with irrigation potential to assist manufacturing, notably younger agripreneurs.”
Learn Additionally: AISS: A new era of agriculture?
AISS noticed that in contrast to previous administrations the place pronouncements remained mere rhetoric, the Ministry of Meals and Agriculture has already recognized strategic places for the FSCs, categorising them into mechanisation, processing, or enter centres relying on native wants.
Hon. Eric Opoku confirmed this imaginative and prescient, noting that “a Farmer Service Centre might be established in each farming district throughout the nation, with every district having both an Enter Centre, Processing Centre, or each.” He expressed a robust need to uplift your complete meals and agriculture worth chain with the last word objective of “attaining inexpensive and sustainable meals safety for all.”
The primary FSC for Meat and Poultry is predicted to be arrange at Bechem within the Ahafo Area, whereas one other for Grains, Cereals, and Nuts might be positioned within the Higher East and Ashanti Areas.
Fruits, Greens, Roots & Tubers
Past livestock, the Ministry has introduced a devoted Fruits and Greens Processing Centre to buy farm produce on the farm gate and course of them into concentrates and canned merchandise. The ability will stabilise costs throughout drought and low season durations whereas serving as a enterprise incubator for agripreneurs.
For roots and tubers, one other FSC is to be geared up with fashionable analysis and processing expertise to supply cassava flour, yam chips, and different starch-based merchandise. The ability may even embody superior storage infrastructure to protect produce for lengthy durations. “Despite the fact that roots and tubers are the first focus, plantain processing may even be a part of the centre’s actions,” the Minister defined.
Grains, Cereals & Nuts
The Grains, Cereals, and Nuts Centre might be backed by fourteen 10,000-metric-ton silos and fashionable processing expertise. It is going to additionally double as an Enter and Help Centre, offering fertilisers, tractors, seeds, and ploughing companies to farmers. The ability will conduct analysis into new processing strategies and worth addition for each native and export markets.
Institutional Farming & Horticulture
One other spotlight of the Feed Ghana Programme is the push for “institutional farming.” The President inspired colleges, firms, and households to undertake each crop and livestock farming. Authorities has pledged to assist colleges with land, farm inputs, and even day-old chicks to domesticate a brand new technology of poultry and livestock farmers.
The Ministry additionally plans to prioritise horticulture, drawing inspiration from Kenya the place the sector contributes considerably to GDP. “Our goal is just not solely to make horticultural merchandise accessible on the native market, but additionally to develop an export market to generate international change,” Minister Opoku said.
Dairy Processing at Amrahia
When requested about dairy improvement, Hon. Eric Opoku disclosed plans to ascertain an ultra-modern, built-in dairy processing plant at Amrahia, the place Dr. Kwame Nkrumah first constructed Ghana’s milk farm. The ability will produce cheese, butter, recent milk, evaporated milk, and powdered milk.
“The dairy trade have to be given a lift instantly to scale back our dependence on imports,” the Minister emphasised, including that the plant may even generate vital job alternatives.
AISS Monitoring
Whereas lauding the scope of those interventions, AISS famous that Ghana’s historical past is crammed with formidable agricultural programmes that by no means noticed full implementation. The Institute has due to this fact pledged to observe the Ministry’s progress over the subsequent 12 months and concern a report on achievements and gaps.
“The thought that we, as Africans, are able to managing our personal affairs instantly brings hope to our internal souls,” AISS remarked, expressing cautious optimism.
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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Feedback, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform don’t essentially signify the views or coverage of Multimedia Group Restricted.
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