The Government spent over GHC 1billionn Ghana cedis in 2020 to import fertilisers, the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, has disclosed.
According to him, this alone demonstrates the government’s commitment to the development of agriculture across the country.
Dr. Afriyie Akoto made this revelation while addressing farmers, inputs dealers, regional agriculture directors, district agricultural directors at Ahinsan in the Ashanti Region yesterday as part of his regional tour.
He made this revelation when responding to the farmers’ call on the high cost of fertilizers. “In a quest to make farmers richer the government has subsidised fertilisers in particular, by 40%, this means the farmer has extra money for savings”, he said.
Proceeding to Amanfrom Prison, the Commandant, ADP Francis M. Yelpuo, enumerated the agricultural activities ongoing at the prison yard. He said the prison has a total of 40 acres of oil palm plantation, 45 sow piggery with a current total of 373 pigs, offering comprehensive practical training to inmates and officers, 73 sheep and 59 rabbits in addition to a 2-acre vegetable farm and 40-acre of maize and 10-acre swampland, the multiplication of taro suckers for the ministry of food and agriculture (MoFA) for onward distribution to farmers.
The commandant appealed to the minister for a 3000L polytank and nipple drinkers to improve the health of the animals.
Dr. Afriyie Akoto entreated the commandant to concentrate on projects they can commercialize to resource others.
He assured of a tractor subsidy of 40% reduction to the prison farm. “I can’t promise you free tractors but I can offer you one with a 40 % reduction and that’s what we can do,” he added.
Manhyia Palace, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II elucidated the efforts of the government in raising the level of agriculture in the country, particularly in the Ashanti Region. His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II said this when the Minister paid him a visit.
Dr Osei Akoto pledged his support to sustain the gains made in the agriculture sector in the Ashanti Region.
