Ghana’s reliance on imported poultry has reached alarming levels, with the nation spending nearly $400 million annually on chicken imports, a figure President Mahama has labeled a national embarrassment. To combat this dependence and bolster domestic poultry production, the government has unveiled the ambitious Feed Ghana Programme. This initiative seeks to empower local producers, enhance agricultural infrastructure, and stimulate job creation within the agricultural sector. A key component of this program focuses on supporting 54 individuals to produce a combined four million birds, equivalent to 10,000 metric tons of chicken, aiming to significantly reduce reliance on foreign poultry.
The Feed Ghana Programme represents a comprehensive approach to revitalizing Ghana’s agricultural landscape, extending beyond poultry production to encompass a range of livestock and crop development initiatives. President Mahama has emphasized the government’s commitment to bolstering cattle production, as well as supporting the growth of small ruminants like goats and sheep. This involves improving access to high-quality breeds, promoting better animal husbandry practices, and enhancing the overall productivity of the livestock sector. Furthermore, the program aims to create agro-production enclaves, supported by robust infrastructure including irrigation systems, improved road networks, reliable power supply, and modern warehousing facilities. These enclaves are designed to attract private investment, foster innovation, and stimulate growth across the agricultural value chain.
Recognizing the critical role of infrastructure in agricultural development, the Feed Ghana Programme prioritizes the development of supporting infrastructure to facilitate increased production and efficient processing of agricultural goods. The program’s multifaceted approach includes initiatives to improve irrigation systems, enhance road networks to facilitate transportation of goods, ensure reliable power supply to agricultural areas, and establish modern warehousing facilities to reduce post-harvest losses. These infrastructural improvements aim to create a conducive environment for increased agricultural productivity, attracting private investment and boosting the overall competitiveness of Ghana’s agricultural sector. The government’s commitment to infrastructure development is evident in the provision of resources such as maize seeds, fertilizers, a Kia truck, and tractors to institutions like the Ghana Prisons Service and the National Service Authority, which will play a crucial role in spearheading the program’s implementation.
The Feed Ghana Programme also integrates a crucial element of knowledge transfer and capacity building, aiming to equip farmers with the skills and resources necessary for modern agricultural practices. A central component of this effort is the establishment of farmer service centers nationwide. These centers will serve as hubs for providing essential services, including access to mechanization, quality inputs like seeds and fertilizers, financial support, market access information, primary processing facilities, and training programs designed to enhance farmers’ technical expertise. By providing comprehensive support and training, the program aims to empower farmers to adopt more efficient and sustainable agricultural practices, increasing productivity and improving their livelihoods.
The program acknowledges the importance of engaging and empowering the youth in agriculture, introducing initiatives to support young agri-entrepreneurs. This includes the establishment of farm banks or land banks in designated irrigable zones, specifically designed to provide young entrepreneurs with access to land and financial resources. These initiatives aim to encourage youth participation in agriculture, fostering innovation and creating a pipeline of future agricultural leaders. Furthermore, the program focuses on grains and legumes development, specifically targeting increased production of staple crops like maize, rice, soya beans, and sorghum. This increased production aims to address domestic consumption needs, support agro-processing industries, and generate export opportunities, contributing to national food security and economic growth.
Beyond staple crops, the Feed Ghana Programme also addresses the need for increased vegetable production within the country. This is addressed through the “Yeredua” project, aimed at reducing dependence on vegetable imports from neighboring countries by promoting local cultivation. To achieve this goal, the initiative emphasizes investments in controlled environment farming techniques, such as greenhouse technologies, which enable year-round production and improve crop quality. Promoting urban and peri-urban agriculture is another key focus, leveraging available spaces within and around cities to cultivate vegetables and enhance local food supply. Furthermore, the program encourages schools to establish backyard gardens, providing students with hands-on experience in agriculture and fostering a greater appreciation for locally produced food. This comprehensive approach to vegetable production aims to enhance food security, reduce reliance on imports, and create economic opportunities within the agricultural sector.
