The Feed Ghana Programme, a major agricultural initiative aimed at transforming the farming sector in Ghana, continues to gain national attention as stakeholders intensify efforts to encourage youth participation in agriculture.
The programme, led by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, seeks to improve food production, strengthen food security, reduce dependence on imported food products, and create sustainable jobs through modernized agriculture and agribusiness development.
Speaking on Ahotor YEPE AHUNU, hosted by Alex Nana Dodge on Ahotor FM, Feed Ghana Ambassador Mr. John Donkor together with team member Mr. Bismark Donkor emphasized the importance of involving the youth in farming and agribusiness across the country.
According to Mr. John Donkor, the mandate of the Feed Ghana Ambassadors is to engage farmers in farming communities and encourage the teaming youth in Ghana to see agriculture as a viable source of employment and national development regardless of where they live.
He encouraged young people interested in agriculture to form cooperatives with a structured leadership made up of at least three executives — a chairman, secretary, and coordinator — to help improve organization, access opportunities, and strengthen their operations.
Mr. Donkor said one of the major concerns raised by farmers is access to reliable buyers for their produce. However, he disclosed that 30 million dollars has been allocated to buffer stock operations to purchase farm produce from farmers and help address market challenges.
He further stressed that the Agriculture Ministry is putting measures in place to support young farmers through the provision of farming equipment, seedlings, and fertilizer distribution to make farming easier and more attractive to the youth.
Mr. Donkor narrated how an onion farmer earns about GH¢10,000 every month from farming, stressing that agriculture remains a profitable venture for those who take it seriously. According to him, he constantly advises young people to get involved in the Feed Ghana Programme because of the opportunities available in the sector.
He stated that he finds it difficult to understand why some youth complain about unemployment when many farmers are making substantial income from agriculture. He described farming as a lifelong business capable of creating wealth and sustainable livelihoods and encouraged the youth to fully embrace it.
Mr. Donkor noted that agriculture remains one of the strongest sectors capable of creating jobs, reducing poverty, and supporting industrial growth if young people fully embrace modern farming methods and agribusiness opportunities.
The initiative focuses on increasing the production of key commodities such as maize, rice, soybean, and vegetables while also supporting agro-processing industries with raw materials to boost local production and exports.
Mr. Bismark Donkor also stated that the programme is expected to improve livelihoods through the establishment of farmers’ service centres, greenhouse projects, farm banks, and other agricultural infrastructure aimed at increasing productivity and reducing post-harvest losses.
Mr. Bismark Donkor further urged young people to take advantage of the opportunities being created under the Feed Ghana Programme to contribute meaningfully to national development while securing sustainable economic opportunities for themselves.
Story by Stephen Kwaku Owusu Mintah/Ahotoronline.com