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By
Gifty Amofa, RNG
Accra, March 14, GNA –
Owusu Afriyie Akoto, Minister of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), badured
the farmers that the government give them back their former glory when farmers were
the richest of society.
"In the past, cocoa
the farmers were the richest, but the situation is different now, "he said.
Dr. Akoto gave the
insurance when he opened the first three-day conference of the West and Central
Directors of the World Food Program (WFP) underway in Accra.
The minister said
agriculture was not the preserve of the poor, as it was perceived, and that the government was
work to transform agriculture to create wealth for all stakeholders of value
chain.
This, he said would
also contribute to achieving the goal of sustainable development
(SDG) – zero hunger by 2030, he added.
"L & # 39; agriculture
The sector remains the main source of employment, ensures food security and
materials for industries, create jobs, reduce post-harvest losses and
also contribute to the fight against climate change. "
He said because of
challenges faced by the agricultural sector, the government had instituted
measures, including the Plantation for Food and Employment (PFJ) program, a district 1
The plant (1D1F), to ensure adequate storage facilities to improve the marketing of
grain and trade on the commodity exchange and alleviate the situation.
While the PFJ must
to increase production and job creation, said Dr. Akoto, the 1D1F would focus on
to allow the industry to flourish, especially agribusinesses, which
mainly in the private sector and a key partner in achieving the SDGs.
With storage
the minister said: "We want to increase the storage of 34,000 metrics
tonnes in 2017 to 250,000 metric tonnes over the next five years. "
Dr. Akoto said the climate
This change affected farmers' behavior during the country's major agricultural season.
(May-July) pbaded to the minor (September to November), stating that,
the government would help them achieve their goal with the unpredictability of
seasons.
For that, he said:
23,000 hectares of land were irrigated and another 60,000 had been irrigated
marked in the middle belt and in the north while another 60,000 capabilities would be
to be added.
"Scientists are also
striving to create adaptable varieties for climate change, "he said.
disclosed, pointing out that this was a long-term government project.
The minister has said everything
These initiatives were aimed at ensuring the permanent transformation of the
Agriculture.
Dr. Akoto expressed
satisfaction that WFP's activities are in line with those of the Government,
say, their integrated program of food security and nutrition has completed
Ghanaians and has appropriately supported its current development phase and the
vision.
Mr. Abdou Dieng, WFP
Regional Director West and Central, said his region (West and Central Africa)
was characterized by drought, poverty, population growth and conflict
and the presence of non-State armed groups that impeded access to the
actors of humanity and development.
WFP is the
United Nations food badistance branch and the world's largest
humanitarian organization fighting against hunger and promoting food security. he
provides food badistance to an average of 91.4 million people in 83 countries
every year.
GNA
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