Agric Minister assures food system safety, announces relief for 800,000 farmers starting October 10

The government has reaffirmed the safety of the nation’s food system while assuring that measures are being taken to support farmers and restore agricultural activities.

Minister for Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, shared that after a thorough audit and analysis, the ministry has secured resources, gained Parliamentary approval, and received backing from the World Bank and other development partners to address the challenges facing the sector.

Speaking at the Information Ministry’s ‘Meet the Press’ series on Tuesday, Mr. Acheampong announced that starting October 10, the government will distribute food grants to over 800,000 farmers in the eight most affected regions. “Each farmer will receive 25kg of rice and 100kg of maize,” he confirmed.

Additionally, an online grain market will be launched on the same date, offering maize and rice to the public at affordable prices. “The distribution of inputs and food grants will be managed through the Ghana Agriculture and Agribusiness Platform (GhAAP) to ensure transparency and accountability,” Mr. Acheampong stated.

To ensure effective delivery of the relief programs, 3,000 personnel have been deployed nationwide to register farmers and make sure no one is overlooked.

Looking to the future, Mr. Acheampong emphasized the need for long-term solutions, stressing the importance of investing in agricultural resilience, particularly in areas such as irrigation and grain storage. He outlined the government’s plan to invest GH¢3 billion annually in irrigation over the next decade and to increase the country’s grain storage capacity by 100,000 metric tons per year for the next 16 years.

He also expressed gratitude to stakeholders, including the World Bank, ECOWAS, and local partners, for their support in addressing the agricultural crisis. He reassured farmers that the government’s efforts would provide much-needed relief and help stabilize food supplies in the months ahead.

“The dry spell underscores the importance of long-term agricultural planning and investments. We are committed to ensuring our farmers are equipped to withstand future shocks,” Mr. Acheampong concluded.

Source:dailymailgh.com