President John Dramani Mahama has made a bold claim that the future of Ghana’s agriculture hinges on strong private sector participation.
To this end, he said his government was ready to partner private sector, both large and small scale agricultural players to drive large-scale production and ensure food security.
He noted that increased private investment in agriculture remained critical to modernising the sector, improving productivity and reducing the country’s dependence on food imports.
President Mahama made the remarks during a visit to Nobi Agriculture, a 21,000-acre farming project at Sikasu in the Afram Plains, where he observed ongoing large-scale farming operations.
The project is led by integrates irrigation systems, crop research, processing facilities and storage infrastructure to support sustainable food production.
The President noted that such initiatives aligned with government’s broader development agenda, including the 24-hour economy policy and the Volta Economic Corridor, which prioritise increased productivity in key sectors such as agriculture.
He emphasised that private sector-led projects had the potential to bridge financing gaps, introduce innovation and create jobs for the youth, particularly in rural communities.
President Mahama commended the scale and structure of Nobi Agriculture, describing it as a model for modern farming and a demonstration of what could be achieved with strategic investment.
He urged other investors to take advantage of opportunities within the agricultural sector, stressing that government would continue to create an enabling environment to support such initiatives.
For his part, the Chief Executive Officer of Nobi Agriculture, Mr Awuah-Darko, said the project was conceived as a fully integrated agricultural system designed to move beyond traditional farming methods.
He explained that the approach focused on combining irrigation, research, processing and storage to ensure efficiency across the agricultural value chain and reduce post-harvest losses.
Mr Awuah-Darko also revealed that the project was being developed in phases, with about 7,000 acres currently under active cultivation, and plans to expand to cover the full 21,000 acres.
He disclosed that a key feature of the farm was a large reservoir supporting irrigation, which ensured year-round production despite changing weather patterns.
He added that the project had also invested in a rice processing complex, including milling, drying and storage facilities, to support value addition and improve market access.
According to him, current yields had improved significantly due to the use of improved seed varieties, modern farming techniques and efficient water management systems.
Mr Awuah-Darko further highlighted the role of research within the project, citing that efforts were underway to develop indigenous seed varieties suited to Ghana’s climate and soil conditions.
He said the initiative also provided employment opportunities for the youth while building capacity in modern agricultural practices.
Mr Awuah-Darko then expressed optimism that sustained collaboration between government and private investors would accelerate growth in the sector and enhance national development.
BY JULIUS YAO PETETSI
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