As part of efforts to revitalise the country’s agricultural sector, the incoming Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, says the new government aims to make the sector more attractive to Ghanaians, especially young people.
He said, “We want to make agriculture attractive to the youth and to everyone in this country.”
To achieve this, the Minister-designate outlined a plan for the government to acquire land from landowners, prepare it for agricultural use, and then hand it over to interested farmers for cultivation and food production.
“We intend to acquire the land, prepare it for agricultural purposes, and then hand it over to prospective investors so that we can increase production and drive our nation towards food sufficiency,” he explained during his vetting in Parliament on Monday, January 20.
He further explained that his ministry would take a simple approach by engaging landowners to release land for this initiative, which he believes will significantly boost food production for both domestic and international consumption.
Mr Opoku also highlighted that the new government will prioritise the recruitment of more agricultural extension officers to assist in managing these farms, as the current ratio of extension officers to farms is in a dire situation.
Ghana’s agricultural sector is a key pillar of the economy, employing a significant portion of the population, especially in rural areas. Agriculture contributes around 20-25% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and remains vital for food security, employment, and poverty alleviation.
However, the lack of initiatives to make farming appealing to the younger generation remains a challenge, as many young people continue to seek white-collar jobs rather than pursuing careers in agriculture.
