Eric Opoku, the Minister of Food and Agriculture
Eric Opoku, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, has assured smallholder farmers across the country of his willingness to work with them to revitalize the country’s agricultural sector for economic growth and transformation.
He stated that the government had proposed various initiatives focused on increasing productivity, ensuring food security, and improving farmers’ incomes and livelihoods.
The Minister gave this assurance when the Board, Management, and some members of the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) paid a courtesy call on him at his office.
Opoku highlighted key initiatives, including the “Irrigation for Wealth Creation Programme,” which will be implemented across eight regions in the country, targeting between 10,000 and 25,000 hectares of irrigable land.
He emphasized that the ministry’s priority was to secure funding for the Pwalugu multi-purpose dam project.
Regarding enhanced access to inputs and services, he stated that the government would establish farmer service centres nationwide. These centres will provide inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and agrochemicals, as well as advisory and production services to farmers.
He underscored the critical role PFAG could play in this initiative, saying, “PFAG can partner with the government to provide inputs through the proposed centres.”
He also announced that the ministry had some machinery available at subsidized rates for farmers and farmer groups, encouraging PFAG and others to apply for a 60 percent subsidy component.
The Minister assured that the ministry would collaborate closely with the Ministry of Roads and Highways to construct feeder roads connecting food-producing communities to markets, aiming to reduce food price hikes.
Furthermore, he noted that the government was partnering with private processing companies to establish mini-processing centres in locations where perishable food crops are produced.
He mentioned a proposal to roll out the Ghana Agricultural Insurance Scheme through subsidies, providing insurance coverage for smallholder farmers to enhance their access to credit.
He encouraged farmers to form cooperatives to strengthen their bargaining power, making it easier to secure agricultural loans.
The Minister also stated that his ministry was liaising with other ministries to combat illegal mining and its adverse effects on food production and security.
“I am ever ready to work with you. You should also have confidence and trust in me so that we can work together. My principle as a minister is to contribute to ensuring food sufficiency in the country, and my doors are open for collaboration and partnership,” he added.
The members of the PFAG, led by National President Mr. Wepia Awal Adugwala, outlined critical areas requiring the ministry’s attention, including food production, food security, and economic development.
Other concerns raised included irrigation, market structures, farmers’ access to productive inputs and financial resources, and the urgent need to combat illegal mining to safeguard farmlands.
Bismark Owusu Nortey, the Acting Executive Director, assured the Minister of their unwavering support and willingness to collaborate with the ministry to address the needs of smallholder farmers.
He commended the Minister’s efforts in tackling farmers’ challenges and reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to supporting the ministry’s goals and vision for food sufficiency in the country.
The National President subsequently presented proposals from PFAG to the Minister, who pledged to review the document and consider its recommendations to address challenges in the agricultural sector.
