The President of the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG), Mr. Wepia Addo Awal Adugwuala, has expressed strong support for President-elect John Dramani Mahama’s decision to rename the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to the Ministry of Food and Agribusiness. This shift in nomenclature, according to Mr. Adugwuala, signifies a crucial change in perspective, moving away from viewing agriculture merely as a way of life to recognizing it as a viable and potentially lucrative business venture. This reframing is essential for attracting investment, modernizing practices, and ultimately transforming the agricultural sector into a powerful engine of economic growth and job creation. The renaming is expected to inject a renewed sense of purpose and dynamism into the agricultural sector, attracting both domestic and foreign investment, and promoting innovation and entrepreneurship.
Mr. Adugwuala believes that the renaming of the Ministry will be instrumental in attracting necessary resources for critical investments in the agricultural sector. These investments should target key areas such as irrigation infrastructure, mechanization of farming processes, improved storage facilities, processing capabilities, and efficient marketing strategies. These enhancements will address long-standing challenges faced by Ghanaian farmers, including post-harvest losses, limited access to markets, and the inability to add value to their produce. By strengthening these critical links in the agricultural value chain, the Ministry can empower farmers to increase productivity, improve product quality, and access wider markets, ultimately leading to enhanced incomes and improved livelihoods.
The anticipated success of the NDC government’s 24-Hour Economic policy hinges significantly on robust agro-processing initiatives, emphasizes Mr. Adugwuala. He believes that adding value to agricultural products through processing not only maximizes their economic potential but also generates much-needed employment opportunities, particularly for the youth. This focus on agro-processing is expected to create a ripple effect throughout the economy, stimulating growth in related sectors such as packaging, transportation, and retail, while simultaneously reducing reliance on imported processed foods. This strategy aligns with the broader goal of diversifying the Ghanaian economy and reducing its vulnerability to fluctuations in global commodity prices.
Mr. Adugwuala also advocated for the introduction of readily available subsidies for farmers, highlighting their crucial role in reducing production costs. He pointed to the widespread use of agricultural subsidies in developed countries as a testament to their effectiveness in supporting farmers and ensuring food security. Subsidies, according to Mr. Adugwuala, can act as a safety net for smallholder farmers, mitigating the risks associated with farming and enabling them to invest in improved inputs and technologies. This support is particularly crucial in Ghana, where a significant portion of the agricultural sector comprises smallholder farmers who often lack access to capital and other resources.
Furthermore, Mr. Adugwuala called for tax exemptions on agricultural inputs to make them more affordable for farmers, encouraging increased food production and contributing to national food security. This measure, he argues, would reduce the financial burden on farmers and incentivize them to adopt modern farming techniques and invest in higher quality inputs. By lowering the cost of production, tax exemptions would enhance the competitiveness of Ghanaian agricultural products, both domestically and internationally, fostering growth and contributing to a more resilient and prosperous agricultural sector.
The proposed renaming of the Ministry, coupled with the suggested policy interventions, signals a renewed commitment to transforming Ghana’s agricultural sector. By prioritizing agribusiness, investing strategically, and providing targeted support to farmers, the government aims to unlock the vast potential of agriculture to drive economic growth, create jobs, and enhance food security. This comprehensive approach recognizes the interconnectedness of various aspects of the agricultural value chain and emphasizes the need for a holistic strategy that addresses the challenges and opportunities across the entire spectrum, from production to processing and marketing. This transformative vision for the agricultural sector seeks to establish agriculture as a cornerstone of Ghana’s economic development and a source of prosperity for all stakeholders.
