Resetting the agricultural sector: the task ahead

Last week, when President John Dramani Mahama swore in Eric Opoku as the new Minister of Food and Agriculture, he had very little words for him.

But the few words he spoke carried a lot of weight. "Ghanaians are looking for food security," President Mahama reminded him.

"They're looking for cheap and affordable food to fill their stomachs."

This simple yet profound reminder underscores the significance of Mr Opoku's role in shaping the future of the agricultural sector.

As the new Minister of Food and Agriculture, he faces the daunting task of addressing the challenges facing the sector.

The Daily Graphic is sure that as the longest-serving Minority-ranking member on the Parliamentary Select Committee on Food, Agriculture, and Cocoa Affairs, Mr Opoku  brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new role.

The sector, which was once the backbone of the economy, has been plagued by numerous challenges. Many farmers lack access to credit facilities, extension services, mechanised systems and markets, and can hardly make ends meet.

However, we believe that with the right policies, investments and innovations, the agricultural sector can be reset for better yields, improved livelihoods and enhanced food security.

A modern and efficient agricultural sector requires reliable infrastructure, including irrigation systems, to ensure consistent water supply, farm-to-market roads to facilitate transportation of produce, and storage facilities to preserve the produce and reduce waste.

Investing in these critical infrastructure components will help to reduce post-harvest losses, increase efficiency and improve the overall competitiveness of the country’s agricultural sector, thereby increasing farmers productivity and incomes.

A favourable policy and regulatory environment is also critical for the growth and development of the agricultural sector. 

It is in line with these that the government’s decision to review and update the country’s agricultural policy to address emerging challenges and opportunities is critically essential.

It is important to state that the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) policy, launched in 2017 by the New Patriotic Party government, aimed to revitalise the agricultural sector by increasing food production, reducing imports and creating jobs.

While the policy showed some promise, its implementation was marred by challenges and even controversies.

It is, therefore, essential that the government pays critical attention to the implementation of the new policy at hand. No matter how sweet it might look on paper, all seriousness must be brought to the table to address its shortcomings to ensure its success.

The Daily Graphic does not doubt the capacity of the new minister to perform satisfactorily, but one of the critical areas that he has to focus on is increasing access to credit facilities for smallholder farmers, particularly those in rural areas.

Many farmers in rural areas struggle to access credit facilities, which limit their ability to purchase inputs, such as seeds and fertilisers, and expand their farms. 

The government must be bold and task financial institutions such as the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) to develop innovative financing models that cater for the needs of smallholder farmers.

The ADB, we strongly believe, must revisit its mandate of supporting the development of the agricultural sector.

Another area that requires attention is the extension services provided to farmers.

The current extension services are inadequate, with many farmers complaining about the lack of access to extension officers and the limited knowledge and skills of these officers. 

It is quite assuring that at Mr Opoku’s vetting last week, he exhibited profound knowledge on this issue and stated that there was a need to prioritise the training and deployment of more extension officers to ensure that farmers receive the necessary support to improve their productivity and efficiency, particularly in the cultivation of staple crops such as maize, rice and cassava.

Transforming the country’s economy, enhancing farmers' livelihoods and securing a prosperous future for generations to come can be achieved by revitalising the agricultural sector.

This ambitious endeavour demands a collaborative effort from the government, farmers, private sector stakeholders and civil society.

By working together, we can create a more efficient, productive and sustainable agricultural sector that benefits the entire nation.