Ghana’s Agric Sector Needs Massive Capital Investment-PFAG
Dr.Charles Nyaaba, the Executive Director of the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana, has called for a more radical approach in terms of investment in the Agricultural sector to halt its imminent collapse.
He said, “Economic Enclave Projects(EEP) concept is good, but given that we are at crossroads where agricultural is on the verge of collapsing I expect to see a more radical approach in terms of investment in the agricultural sector.”
The EEP among others seeks to provide 10, 000 acres of land in the Greater Accra region to produce rice, maize, vegetables, and poultry for Ghana to be self-sufficient in the above-mentioned commodities.
The EEP is also expected to support large-scale agriculture and agri-businesses interventions through the Development Bank of Ghana.
Dr. Nyaaba however said 10, 000 acres of land is not enough to make the country self-sufficient in the above-mentioned commodities.
He questioned what happened to other major food commodities as well as what interventions EEP has for millions of youth in other parts of the country.
Speaking at the Economic Governance Platform and Oxfam inspired forum on critical national issues in Accra: “The 17th IMF Bailout and Consideration for the 2023 mid-year Budget Review.
The Perspective of the Agricultural Sector”, he called for tax waivers and the removal of import duties on agro-inputs and machinery to bring down the cost of farm inputs and reduce the cost of production.
With regards to irrigation, he called for heavy investment in irrigation development as a risk mitigation measure to encourage the youth and other private investors to go into production.
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The lack of irrigation infrastructure and storage systems in major food production areas in the country according to Dr. Nyaaba is the reason for the high cost of tomatoes, garden eggs, and pepper as the country had to rely on importation.
He adds that when the above-mentioned infrastructure is in place farmers and business-oriented individuals would go in to produce.
Kofi Asare, the Executive Director of Africa Education Watch in his delivery urged the Government to increase the capitation grant by 100% for basic schools in the country to help mitigate the challenges associated with access to universal education in Ghana.
The economic forum was themed; “The 17th IMF Bailout: What Did Ghana Sign-up For? Considerations for 2023 mid-year Budget Review.”
Source: Adovor Nutifafa
dovor100@gmail.com
