Former President John Dramani Mahama has called for a strong focus aimed at encouraging youth to consider opting for agriculture sector.
In addition, he advocated for better seeds, fertiliser and irrigation systems which can have far ranging benefits for the nation.
He spoke on the importance of agriculture in Ghana during the Chicago Council’s Global Food Security Symposium in the USA.
Referring to a programme implemented at Asutsuare, which provided young farmers with improved seeds resulted in an increase in production from under two tonnes of rice per hectare to almost 6.5 tonnes, President Mahama noted that these increases did not only assist the farmers themselves, but the resulting benefits can assist the economy by lowering imports and the associated increased costs to consumers, as well as improving food security.
He noted that the first obstacle was to change the perception of the Ghanaian youth that the agriculture sector is purely subsistence farming, and that opportunities exist to earn a good living.
He noted that many have an archaic notion of agricultural work, but developments in affordability and access to better technologies has meant that the days of poor farmers using hoes and cutlasses are gradually being left behind.
“By increasing efficiency and profitability, as well as removing financial barriers to entry that currently exist, it is hoped that more of the unemployed youth will be enticed into entering the agricultural sector.
“Secondly, the government must provide support, potentially through subsidising access to machinery, as well as providing better quality seeds and fertilisers, to assist with growth,” he added.
President Mahama also addressed the challenges presented by climate change, stressing, “Climate change is real, even though Africa has contributed the least… we are suffering the most extreme effects.”
Decreases in rainfall over the last decade, and an ever-expanding Sahara Desert threatening to creep closer and closer to West Africa, has had a negative impact on farming in Ghana, due largely to reduced farming periods.
This is where the government must focus on expanding irrigation systems throughout the country, as rainfall fed agriculture will continue to struggle without intervention.
If these obstacles can be efficiently addressed and overcome the agriculture sector can flourish in Ghana.
From reducing youth unemployment rates and import quantities, to increasing trade capital, a keen focus on developing the sector can assist in addressing many of the challenges the nation’s economy currently faces.
Source: thefinderonline.com
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the most ***barred word*** president of all times..monkey
Look at this corrupt and greedy guy called John Ford Mahama... Get lost ok! You have no achievement for being president for 4 years and vice for 4 years. All that I can remember you of is the ford bribe you took from the Burkina contractor Kanazoe and the killing of your boss Prof Atta Mills. His ghost will follow you to your grave. You truly have the heart of the dev!l....
shuttt up! who told u to open your INCOMPETENT mouth! Did you know this when you were foooooooooling around? Eddddiot.
My friend, you just left power!
Look at this ***barred word***, incompetent, irresponsible ***barred word*** of a former president. But why didn't he do it while in office or was it simply a case of concentrating on ***barred word*** while in office? Idiotic ***barred word***.
***barred word*** incompetent man like where did you used the eight years for. mr great loot and share man .u are warn.keep quite ells i will beat you.
😒 We gave you one job to do the last 8 years. ONE JOB!!!! And you thanked us with non-performance! How many of the youth you employed straight out of university are now engaged in farming?!? How many? Haven't they all looted funds and put up petrol stations and hotels? You had 8 years to make farming attractive. I would've even accepted Akua Donkor as a special assistant to the Agric ministry seeing that she's been successful with it. But what did Ghanaians get? Massive unemployment, ***barred word*** of our state resources, disrespect, create l00t and share, judgment debts, babies with sharp teeth, a womanizing president, nepotism,.... I tire sef!
JDM GAVE AN EXAMPLE OF AN INTERVENTION IN ASUTUARE!!
Ka wano tum. Wonim boa, anka ya yi wo afrimu?
Look at this incompetent man, what did you do with your eight years? You just looted every money available without concerning yourself with the youth and employment, now you are out, you have suddenly realized government has a role to play? The NPP have already announced the 'Planting for Jobs' agricultural policy which has already attracted a seed capital of 125 million Canadian dollars so park yourself somewhere.