Sustaining agric initiatives key

In the run-up to the 2024 general election, the NDC and its flag bearer placed agriculture at the centre of their campaign and, indeed, prioritised it in government. 

This has been seen in the launch of several interventions aimed at promoting various aspects of agriculture, including grains, legumes, tree crops, poultry and aquaculture.

It is expected that the collective success of all interventions will make the country food-secure, produce surpluses for export and maintain at least a three-month national food reserve.

It is also anticipated that the intervention will generate millions of jobs, reduce reliance on imports, modernise agriculture, eliminate post-harvest losses and bring food inflation under control.

The question now is: how do we ensure these interventions are sustained to maximise the gains?

What is required foremost is political commitment and a continuous demonstration of the same in the years ahead. 

Glimpse of hope

For now, three instances give me hope. In early November, President Mahama instructed public educational institutions at all levels to buy only locally produced rice, maize and eggs.

Earlier, he had ordered the release of funds to the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) to buy surplus grains from farmers and store them in the revamped National Food Reserve (NFR).  

Much earlier, he had ordered the Ghana Education Service (GES) to mop up excess tomatoes in the Agogo enclave for use in schools.

We have a sector minister, Eric Opoku, who seems to share the President’s vision, dreams and aspirations and this alone gives me comfort.

Adequate funding

Beyond political commitment, it is essential to ensure adequate funding for the implementation of the interventions.

To mop up excess grains into the National Food Reserve, NAFCO, for instance, required an amount of at least GH¢770 million.

However, the government could make available only GH¢100 million for it, though additional funds are still expected to come in. 

In the years ahead, we must plan based on forecasts and provide the necessary financial support to eliminate or mitigate post-harvest challenges. Let us increase funding for research and innovations.

I am also of the opinion that there will be a need for a well-thought-out plan and strategies to execute the interventions. 

Local food

Such plans must encourage processing and value addition.

It must step up the campaign to change taste and preferences in favour of locally grown and processed foods, especially for students and young people. 

Educational institutions must heed the President’s directive and insist on the consumption of local foods by students and teachers.

The strategy must include components to address the challenges of market linkages; producers must be shown where to find buyers and vice versa.

I am a firm believer in the Feed Ghana idea, the Nkoko nkitikiti initiative, local fertiliser production, the agro-industrial parks, as well as irrigation and mechanisation in the agricultural space and with the right policies, we must not fail in our quest to make Ghana the food basket of the continent.

The writer is the Head of Corporate Affairs, National Food Buffer Stock Company.