The president of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has launched an agriculture programme called the “Planting for Food and Jobs”.
The launch of this program took place in Goaso, a town located in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana.
Some 200, 000 farmers in the region are set to benefit when the programme rolls out.
In the 2017 budget, the government earmarked GHȻ560 million for the initiative expected to create over 70, 000 jobs.
The ‘Planting for Food and Jobs’ project is the flagship agricultural programme of the Nana Addo-led government.
President Akuffo Addo says the programme will among other things encourage the youth to desist from migrating elsewhere in search of non-existent jobs.The programme will go a long way in transforming the country’s agriculture sector.
Five main crops which would be cultivated under the project include: soya beans, rice, maize, sorghum and vegetables based on five key pillars including provision of certified fertilizer, seeds, marketing and e-Agriculture, extension service.
The project is expected to create over 750,000 jobs.
Assuring that all the necessary measures have been put in place to guarantee the success of the programme, President Akufo-Addo further indicated that, government has reduced the prices of fertilizer by 50% to ensure the success of the programme.
