A statement read by the minister of food and agriculture at the 2012 meet the press session in accra

1. MEET THE PRESS 2012
BY
MINISTER FOR FOOD AND
AGRICULTURE
HON. KWESI AHWOI
15TH MAY, 2012

2. PRESENTATION OUTLINE
 VISION AND MISSION
 POLICY OBJECTIVES
 OVERVIEW OF THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR
 SECTOR CONTRIBUTION TO GDP
 ACHIEVEMENTS
 CHALLENGES
 THE WAY FORWARD
2 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2012

3. VISION OF THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR
Modernized agriculture culminating in structurally
transformed Ghanaian economy evident in
improved food security, employment
opportunities and significantly reduced poverty.
3 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2012

4. MISSION
 Promote sustainable agriculture and thriving
agribusiness using research and technology
development, effective extension and other
services to support farmers, fishers, processors
and traders along the value chain for improved
livelihood.
4 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2012

5. POLICY OBJECTIVES
The Food and Agriculture Sector Development Policy
(FASDEP II) seeks to achieve the following
objectives:
(1) Food security and emergency preparedness;
(2) Improved growth in incomes and stability;
(3) Increased competitiveness and enhanced
integration into domestic and international markets;
(4) Sustainable management of land and environment;
(5) Application of science and technology in food and
agriculture development;
(6) Enhanced institutional coordination.
5 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2012

6. MEDIUM TERM AGRICULTURAL SECTOR
INVESTMENT PLAN
• To address the challenges facing the sector in the
implementation of FASDEP II and propel growth to
higher levels, the Ministry has in collaboration with
its stakeholders developed the Medium-Term
Agricultural Sector Investment Plan (METASIP).
• METASIP is predicated on FASDEP II and consistent
with national vision as defined in GPRS II
(2006-2009), Ghana’s Shared Growth and
Development Agenda (GSGDA: 2010-13), NEPAD,
CAADP and the Millennium Development Goals
(MDGs).
6 Ministry of Food And Agriculture Meet The
Press 2012

7. OVERVIEW OF AGRICULTURAL SECTOR
The METASIP targets:
 An agricultural GDP growth of at least 6% for the
planned period, with crop and livestock sub-sectors
growing, at least, 6%, forestry & logging and
fisheries each growing at 5% while the performance
of the cocoa sector remains robust at over 8%.
 Productivity enhancement along the agriculture
value chain.
 Public Private Partnership (PPP) in accelerating
modernization of agriculture.
7 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2012

8. SECTOR CONTRIBUTION TO GDP, 2006–2011
AT CONSTANT 2006 PRICES (%)
SECTOR
YEAR AGRICULTURE SERVICES INDUSTRY
2006 30.4 48.8 20.8
2007 29.1 50.2 20.7
2008 31.0 48.6 20.4
2009 31.8 49.2 19.0
2010 29.8 51.1 19.1
2011 25.6 48.5 25.9
8 Ministry of Food And Agriculture Meet The Press 2012

9. AGRICUTURE’S CONTRIBUTION TO GDP
 In terms of sector contribution to GDP in 2011,
Agriculture fell to the third place from its previous
second position to Services. This demonstrates that
the economy has shifted from the primary sector
(Agriculture) to the secondary (Industry) and tertiary
sector (Services).
 Evidence of maturing economy.
 Ghana now requires a conscious and sustained
enabling environment to effectively link agriculture to
industry through enhanced agribusiness.
9 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2012

10. ENHANCED AGRIBUSINESS
 In consonance with this, the Ministry is developing
product-specific value chains for the sector.
 An Agribusiness Support Division has also been set
up in the Ministry to advise investors in collaboration
with the GIPC on investment opportunities and
provide technical support.
 Agribusiness development through internal and
external partnerships is central to the G8 May, 2012
Meeting to which Ghana and two other countries viz.
Ethiopia and Tanzania have been invited.
10 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2012

11. GROWTH RATES IN AGRICULTURAL SUB-
SECTORS, 2007– 2011
Year Crops Livestock Cocoa Forestry/ Fisheries Sector
Logging Growth
2007 -1.3 4.7 -8.2 -4.1 -7.2 -1.7
2008 8.6 5.1 3.2 -3.3 17.4 7.4
2009 10.2 4.4 5.0 0.7 -5.7 7.2
2010 5.0 4.6 26.6 10.1 1.5 5.3
2011 3.7 5.1 14.0 -14.0 -8.7 0.8
Source: Revised Gross Domestic Product 2011 (GSS, National Accounts Statistics, April,2012)
11 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2012

12. AGRICULTURAL GROWTH
 The 0.8% growth in 2011 compares agriculture
production in that year to the good performance in
2010. As recent as 2007, agriculture grew at -1.7%.
 In 2011, sub-sectors such as cocoa and livestock
grew at 14% and 5.1% respectively over 2010.
12 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2012

13. EFFECT OF RAINFALL ON FOOD CROP
PRODUCTION
WEATHER PREDICTION BY GMSA
 During the beginning of the 2011 farming season,
the Ghana Meteorological Services
Agency(GMSA) had predicted that the country
had 80% chance of receiving normal to above
rainfall during the 2010 major cropping season.
13 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2012

14. EFFECT OF RAINFALL ON FOOD CROP
PRODUCTION
SOUTHERN SECTOR
 Accordingly, in 2011, the southern sector during
the minor season recorded low rainfall and the
rains subsided earlier than anticipated. This
resulted in wilting of cereals and legumes and
adversely affected production.
NORTHERN SECTOR
 Similarly, parts of the Northern sector
experienced uneven rainfall distribution, erratic
rains and prolonged drought in Ministry of Food And Agriculture
July and August
14 Meet The Press 2012

15. AGRICULTURAL GROWTH AND EFFECT OF
RAINFALL ON PRODUCTION
 The situation was further worsened when parts of
the Northern Sector, the rains tapered in late
September thereby adversely affecting maize,
upland rice and legume production in the major
growing areas.
 Compared to the rainfall in 2010 and the 30 year
average (normal) rainfall, the 2011 rainfall levels
decreased by about 18% and 16%respectively.
15 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2012

16. GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) AT 2006
PRICES BY ECONOMIC ACTIVITY (GHC
MILILION)
2007 2008 2009 2010* 2011**
Crops 3,743 4,064 4,479 4,703 4,878
o.w. Cocoa 493 509 535 677 771
Livestock 458 481 502 526 552
Forestry and 706 682 687 757 651
Logging
Fishing 416 488 460 467 427
16 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2012

17. AGRICULTURAL GDP AT 2006 CONSTANT
PRICES
 Agriculture GDP at 2006 constant prices
increased from GH₵5,716 million in 2008 to
GH₵6,507 million in 2011 showing that there was
a 14% increase in agriculture production in 2011
compared to 2008.
17 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2012

18. PRODUCTION OF SELECTED FOOD CROPS
(‘000Mt) (2006 - 2011)
Crop 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 %Change
(2011/2010
Cassava 9,638 10,210 11,351 12,230 13,550 14,724 5.1
Yam 4,288 4,376 4,895 5,778 5,960 6,295 5.6
Plantain 2,900 3,233 3,338 3,563 3,538 3,620 2.93
Cocoyam 1,660 1,690 1,688 1,504 1,355 1,300 -4.1
Maize 1,189 1,219 1,470 1,620 1,872 1,684 -10.0
Sorghum 315 154 331 351 324 287 -11.05
Millet 165 113 194 246 219 184 -16.0
Rice 250 185 302 391 -5.6
492 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
464.0
18
(paddy)
Meet The Press 2012

19. PRODUCTION OF STAPLE CROPS
CASSAVA
Cassava production increased from 11.4million metric
tones in 2008 to 14.7million metric tones in 2011,
indicating an increase of 29% over the production in
2008.
MAIZE
Production rose from 1.5 million metric tones in 2008
to 1.7 million metric tones in 2011.The increase of
200,000 tons represents 12% increase in maize
production..
19 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2012

20. PRODUCTION OF STAPLE CROPS
YAMS
Yam production increased from 4.9 million metric tons in
2008 to 6.3 million metric tones in 2011, a rise of 1.4
million metric tones indicating 27% increase over the
production of 2008.
PLANTAIN
Similarly, plantain production rose from 3.3million metric
tones in 2008 to 3.6 million metric tons in 2011, an
increase of 300,000 metric tons representing 9%
increase over the 2008 production
20 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2012

21. PRODUCTION OF STAPLE CROPS
RICE
Paddy rice production increased from 302,000mt in 2008
to 464,000mt in 2011. The increase in paddy rice
production in 2011 over 2008 production was
162,000mt representing 53% increase in production in
2011 over 2008 production.
21 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2012

22. LIVESTOCK POPULATION (‘000)
(2006 – 2011)
Type of %
Livestock 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Change
2011/2010
Cattle 1,392 1,407 1,422 1,438 1,454 1,498 3.23
Sheep 3,314 3,420 3,529 3,642 3,759 3,887 3.41
Goats 3,997 4,196 4,405 4,625 4,855 5,137 5.81
Pigs 477 491 506 521 536 568 5.97
Poultry 34,030 37,038 39,816 43,320 47,752 52,575 10.10
22 Source: Veterinary Services Directorate, MoFA, Accra Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2012

23. FISH PRODUCTION, IMPORTS, EXPORTS &
CONSUMPTION (‘000 MT) (2006– 2011)
DESCRIPTION 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
DOM. CATCH 406.8 375.5 431.1 407.8 412.7 441.0
FISH IMPORTS 165.6 213.0 191.7 182.4 199.8 191.4
FISH EXPORTS 45.3 56.9 56.2 71.6 62.7 44.1
QTY OF FISH AVAIL
FOR
CONSUMPTION 527.0 531.5 566. 518.6 549.7 588.3
NATIONAL
REQUIREMENTS
(MT) 884.8 907.6 931.2 956.0 960.0 992.0
% ACHIEVED 59.6 58.6 60.8 54.3 57.3 59.3
23 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2012

24. ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2011
CONTRIBUTION TO NATIONAL ECONOMY
 The month to month inflation for December 2011
was 8. 6% while the food inflation that month was
4.3%.The food inflation rate of 2.78% recorded in
June 2011 was in the lowest in 16 years.
 Food inflation has contributed significantly, and
consistently to the single digit inflation recorded in
2011
24 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2012

25. ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2011
CROP SUB-SECTOR
SEED AND PLANTING MATERIAL PRODUCTION CONT…
• Under the Root and Tuber Improvement and Marketing
Program (RTIMP) 360 ha of improved cassava planting
material farms were established in 2011.
• The materials which are high yielding and tolerant to
pest and diseases will be used to establish 3,600
hectares in 2012.
• A total of 148 mt of certified Nerica seed were produced
and distributed to 2,685 farmers in Ejura-Sekyedumase,
Tolon Kumbungu and Hohoe for out planting.
25 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2012

26. ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2011
CROP SUB-SECTOR CONT…
 The Grains and Legume Development Board processed a
total of 260 mt of certified seed for farmers.
 To ensure the continuous availability of certified seed for
planting during the 2012 major and minor seasons, a total
of 327.91mt of certified seed maize has been stored as
National Seed Security Stock .
 Four (4) new cassava varieties, namely CSIR-CRI,CSIR-
CRI Buroni Bankye, CSIR-CRI Sika Bankye and CSIR-CRI
Otuhia were released under the West Afrca Agricultural
Productivity Programme (WAAPP). These new varieties
are high yielding and more disease tolerant. Food And Agriculture
26 Ministry of
Meet The Press 2012

27. ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2011
CROP SUB-SECTOR CONT….
NATIONAL RICE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
 To ensure increase in rice production and reduce
imports to conserve foreign exchange, a National Rice
Development Strategy Document has been developed to
guide activities in the production, competitiveness,
marketing and consumption of locally-produced rice.
 Major Interventions (Small-scale rice production):
- Northern Rural Growth Programme:- (GOG/IFAD/AfDB)
- Rice Sector Support Project:- (GOG/AFD)
- Inland Valley Rice Development Project:- (GOG/AfDB)
27 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2012

28. ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2011
CROP SUB – SECTOR CONT…
- Sustainable Development of Rain-fed and Low-land
Production Project:- (GOG/JICA)
• Major Interventions (Large-scale rice production)
These include:
- Prairie Volta Rice Project (formerly Aveyime Rice
Project)
- GADCO
28 - Block Farm Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2012

29. ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2011
CROP SUB-SECTOR CONT’D
RUBBER AND OIL PALM
PERENNIAL CROPS PROMOTION PROJECT
A total of 1,263 hectares of oil palm plantation have
been put under cultivation and 11,912 hectares of
rubber plantation maintained in the Western and
Central Regions.
• A coconut rehabilitation project was launched in
October, 2011 to replant 1050 ha of devoured
coconut fields to restore the livelihood of affected
farmers.
29 Ministry of Food And Agriculture Meet
The Press 2009

30. ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2011
CROP SUB-SECTOR CONT…
COTTON
• For the first time in several years, the industry saw a
major revival as 40,000 farmers in 2011 cultivated
23,000 ha of cotton in the three northern regions
from a previous figure of 2,500 ha. Lint cotton
production increased to 7000 metric tons in 2011
from about 1300mt previously. This came about
because of the attraction into the sector of private
sector investment of about $15m and government’s
far reaching plans to protect and regulate the cotton
industry.
30 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2012

31. ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2011
FERTILIZER SUBSIDY
 In 2011, Government spent GH¢80.2m as subsidy on
178,033mt of chemical fertilizer compared with GH
¢30.0m and 91,244mt in 2011 respectively.
 The Fertilizer subsidy introduced 4 years ago has led
to an average increased fertilizer application from 8 to
10 kg/ha by farmers in the country.
 The use of fertilizer coupled with other agronomic
practices have led to increase in productivity of major
staples.
31 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2012

32. ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2011
PESTICIDE AND FERTILIZER SURVEILLANCE AND
MONITORING
 To ensure adherence to the provisions of the Plant
and Fertilizer Act, Act 803(2010) and Part II of the EPA
Act, Act 490 (1994), post registration pesticide and
fertilizer surveillance and monitoring were carried out
in the Central, Western, Brong-Ahafo, Northern,
Upper East and Upper West regions.
 A total of 4,740 litres of obsolete pesticides were
impounded and awaiting disposal advice from FAO.
32 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2012

33. ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2011
IRRIGATION
 A total of 70 dams have been rehabilitated in the
Northern, Upper West and Upper East Regions for
livestock watering and household use. Out of the 70
dams, 30 have been equipped with facilities for
irrigating a total area of 350 ha
 Rehabilitation of Tono Irrigation Scheme (Phase I
and II) have been completed. This has brought back
2,500 ha under irrigation. 350 ha (Areas ‘B’ and ‘O’)
is dedicated to feed the Northern Star Factory at
Kpawlugu.
33 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2012

34. ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2011
IRRIGATION CONT….
 A total of 897 pump sets and 266 sprinkler sets
were distributed to all the 10 regions between
2010/2011 to put 2,320 ha under vegetable
production
 Bontanga (450 ha) and Golinga (27 ha) Irrigation
Schemes have been rehabilitated under MiDA.
 Kpong Left Bank Irrigation Scheme implemented
under MiDA is expected to put 1,450 ha under
irrigated crop production by September 2012
34 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2012

35. ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2011
IRRIGATION CONT…..
 An amount of US$145 million has been sourced from
the China Development Bank and World Bank to
develop a total area of 15,000 ha for irrigated crop
production.
 Construction of the Accra Plains Irrigation Project
(APIP, Phase I - 11,000 ha) is expected to begin in
September 2012.
35 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2009

36. ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2011
AGRICULTURE MECHANISATION
 5 Agriculture Mechanization Service Centres
(AMSECs) operationalized in 2011 bringing to a
total 89.
 100 rice and 20 maize combine harvesters were
imported, assembled and deployed across the
country. This brings to a total of 167 combine
harvesters by close of 2011 as against 4 in 2008.
 A total of 400 bore holes were drilled and
mechanized for farmers to enable them have
36 access to water for agricultural purposes. And Agriculture
Ministry of Food
Meet The Press 2012

37. ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2011
AGRICULTURE MECHANIZATION CONT….
 Under the Japanese Grant Program (KR2-2009),
various rice production and processing equipment
have been imported into the country (125 tractors,
10 rice mills, 40 water pumps, 35 reapers, 35
threshers and 2 combine harvesters).
37 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2012

38. ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2011
AGRICULTURE MECHANIZATION CONT…..
 This Ministry is facilitating the process for the supply of
US$95 million worth of agricultural
machinery/equipment under a facility by the Brazilian
Government.
 These will be supplied in three tranches with the 1st
tranche of US$35million machinery/equipment expected
in the country by the end of June, 2012.
 Expected increase in the number of AMSECs setup and
the range of available machinery and equipment.
38 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2012

39. ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2011
THE NATIONAL FOOD BUFFER STOCK COMPANY (NAFCO)
 Wholly state owned enterprise responsible :
– Food security, Buffer stock.
– Minimum guaranteed competitive price for target
crops.
– Sustainable income and last resort market.
 GFDC silos and warehouses released to NAFCO by DIC.
 Leased warehouses secured in Tamale.
39 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2012

40. ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2011
THE NATIONAL FOOD BUFFER STOCK COMPANY
(NAFCO) CONT….
 Stabilized prices of maize - 10,000mt of maize were
off-loaded to the market in June, 2011
 Provided relief food items to flood victims in Atiwa
and other areas without recourse to DP support
Employment generation:
 35 permanent staff working 3 shifts a day at Nasia
Rice Mills in Tamale
- 55 licensed buying companies
40 - 5,000 women par-boilers in Tamale of FoodPressAgriculture
Ministry
Meet The
And
2012

41. ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2011
THE NATIONAL FOOD BUFFER STOCK COMPANY
(NAFCO) CONT….
 150 “loading boys” engaged on monthly basis in
Tamale and Kumasi.
 Small mills operators in Tamale Metropolis
engaged in rice milling.
 Transporters engaged by NAFCO.
 Revived Nasia Rice Mill after 8 years of it being
disfunctional.
41 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2012

42. ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2011
INTENSIFICATION OF YOUTH IN AGRICULTURE
PROGRAM
 The Youth in Agricultural program was introduced
as an intervention which had a two prong approach
of creating jobs while making sure the country is
food secured; It has four components, namely :
– Block Farm Program
– Livestock Program
– Fisheries Program
– Agri-business program
42 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2012

43. ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2011
YOUTH IN AGRICULTURE PROGRAM
 47,000ha cultivated to rice, maize and vegetables,
generating employment and income for 85,000 young
farmers.
 National Service Secretariat successfully engaged in
youth in agriculture: Komenda, Branam, Ejura, Papao
Awutu, Okyereko, Dahwenya, among other locations.
Activities covered maize, vegetables, piggery, poultry
rabbitry and aquaculture production.
 Copies of Handbook on Policy, Strategy and
Sustainability of Youth in Agriculture Program printed
43 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
and distributed throughout Ghana Meet The Press 2012

44. ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2011
TRAINING OF TRADERS ON SAFE HANDLING OF
FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
 As part of the Ministry’s responsibility to address
food safety issues along the agriculture value chain,
training sessions on safe handling and processing
were organized for traders who are key actors in the
fruits and vegetable value chain.
 Participants were from the major markets within the
Accra Metropolitan Area.
44 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2012

45. ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2011
LIVESTOCK SUB-SECTOR
 A total of 39,000 cockerels were distributed to 1,950
farmers in 70 districts to help increase their incomes.
 20,000 copies of livestock production manuals
developed and distributed to assist farmers update
their knowledge in livestock production.
 A total of 5.2 tons of forage seeds produced for range
land improvement to cover 1,733 ha.
 3 Demonstration centres constructed in CR, WR, GAR
45 to update knowledge of livestock farmers in housing,
feeding and disease control of poultry and livestock.
Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2012

46. ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2011
LIVESTOCK SUB-SECTOR CONT…
 A total of 10,000 sheep were procured and distributed
to 1,000 farmers under the Credit-in Kind Scheme.
 1,000 breeding pigs were also distributed to 250
farmers under same scheme to assist them improve
their breeds and also to enhance their incomes.
 33 dug-outs and 20 boreholes were constructed
under the Livestock Development Project for
watering livestock in the three northern regions.
 The Livestock Breeding Stations produced 2,552 of
various livestock species and supplied 1,525 to
46 farmers. Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2012

47. ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2011
FISHERIES SUB-SECTOR
Government procured 4 patrol vessels for enforcement

of the fisheries regulations and protect the fisheries
resources.
 Vessels received on 14th October, 2011 and
commissioned by the President in Feb. 2012 in
Takoradi.
 MCS Task force established in August, 2011 for law
enforcement. A total of 42 fishing crafts were arrested
by the Navy and MOFA joint patrol (20 canoes, 16
inshore, 2 tuna, 4 trawlers for offenses including
fishing with light, fishing without license and fishing in
47 the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).Ministry of The Press Agriculture
Meet
Food And
20012

48. ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2011
FISHERIES SUB-SECTOR CONT…
 Aquaculture recorded an increase in production
from 5600mt in 2008 to 10,200mt in 2010 to
19,093mt in December 2011 – an increase of
341% over 2008.
 This is an indication of government’s resolve to
turn the Fisheries sub-sector around from
reliance on depleting marine capture.
 Total fish production increased from 412,657mt
in the previous year to 440,990mt in 2011 (6.9%)
48 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2009

49. ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2011
FISHERIES SUB-SECTOR CONT…
• As at the end of 2011, fish exported was valued at
US$254,429,334 while 2010 recorded a value of
US165,709,645 i.e. (53.5%)
• Award of Contract proceeding for the
establishment of turnkey fish processing plant at
Elmina with funds from Indian Exim Bank.
• Parliament has approved subsidiary loan
agreement for the construction of 11 landing
sites and 2 fishing harbours.
49 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2012

50. ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2011
FISHERIES SUB-SECTOR CONT…
 The National Premix Committee (NPC) has put in
place pragmatic measures to ensure sanity and
sustainability of the Program and facilitated the
formation of 309 Landing Beach Committees (LBC)
nationally.
 A number of developmental projects including
the following have been established by various LBCs
50 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2012

51. ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2011
FISHERIES SUB-SECTOR CONT…
 Construction of classrooms and teachers quarters
 Construction of premix office complex
 Construction of Community Information Centers
 Construction of library and ICT Center
 Purchase of fishing nets and Chorkor smokers
 Purchase out-board motors
 Construction of Senior High Technical School
 Purchase of electricity poles for street lights
 Construction of Police Posts and Health Clinics
51 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2012

52. ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2011
FISHERIES SUB-SECTOR CONT…
 The World Bank approved US$53.8 million to boost
the fisheries sector and implement the Fisheries and
Aquaculture Development Plan (2011 – 2016).
 Establishment of cold stores at Kromantsi and
Nyanyanor - almost completed: Half Assini, Shama,
Prampram - work in progress: New Takoradi - not
started because if land issue
52 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2012

53. ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2011
HORTICULTURAL EXPORTS
 To enhance the development of the horticulture
industry, a number of pack houses have been
built in horticultural crop producing areas.
 In addition, a perishable cargo village have been
built at Kotoka International Airport.
 These measures are aimed at reducing post
harvest losses and to facilitate the export of
horticultural crops in their fresh state.
53 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2009

54. ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2011
AGRICULTURE ROADS
 To enhance the movement of farm inputs and
also agricultural produce/products to marketing
centres, a total of 373.51 kilometres of roads and
access tracks have been constructed under by 4
projects in the ministry.
 An additional 186 km road is earmarked for
construction
54 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2009

55. ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2011
AGRICULTURAL FINANCING
 The Export Development and Investment Fund (EDIF)
Act has been amended to the Export Development
and Agricultural Investment Fund (EDAIF) Act to
incorporate an investment fund window to assist
actors along the value chain
 The establishment of the Out-grower Value Chain
Fund (OVCF) with support from KFW is to assist
actors along the crop value chain with medium to
long term financing.
 These innovative financing will operate along side the
existing financial institutions. Ministry of Food And Agriculture
55 Meet The Press 2009

56. CHALLENGES
The challenges that have beset the sector are being
addressed through various interventions.
Nonetheless, the sector is still confronted with some
lingering constraints, key among which are:-
 Low technology development and dissemination;
 Poor and inadequate rural infrastructure;
 Low irrigation development and management.
 Low agriculture research contribution to the agric
sector because of low funding;
56 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2012

57. CHALLENGES CONT…
 In adequate number of warehouses and drying
facilities
 Inadequate and delay in release of, GOG funds.
(persisting funding gap).
 Inadequate access to credit and high interest rate
 Poor market access
 Inadequate human resource and managerial skills;
 Improper natural resource management especially
fisheries
 Ill-equipped laboratories (seed, veterinary, Agriculture
Ministry of Food And fisheries)
57 Meet The Press 2009

58. THE WAY FORWARD
GHANA COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURE PROJECT (GCAP)
 GCAP has a total investment cost estimated at
US$145.00million with a loan of US$100.00million
from the World Bank and a grant of US$45.00 from
USAID and will be implemented from 2012-2017.
 It aims at addressing the food security situation by
increasing crop yields (productivity), household
incomes, improving the competitiveness of rice,
maize, and soya value chains, and expanding market
opportunities for smallholder farmers.
 The project will focus on the Accra plains and the
58 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
SADA zone and other deprived areas. Meet The Press 2012

59. THE WAY FORWARD
GHANA COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURE PROJECT
(GCAP) CONT….
 Direct employment will benefit workers to be
engaged in the development of 11,000 ha in the
Accra Plains Irrigation Project.
 30,000 smallholders will benefit as out-
growers/contract farmers.
 The development of 10,000ha of inland valleys for
rice production in the SADA zone will employ about
2,000 out-growers plus additional farm labourers
59 that will be employed on the nucleus farms.And Agriculture
Ministry of Food
Meet The Press 2012

60. THE WAY FORWARD
GHANA COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURE PROJECT
(GCAP) CONT….
 The project intermediate beneficiaries are Ghanaian
and international investors – of varying scale – who
invest in new or expanded business opportunities in
the appropriate value chains.
 The irrigation scheme will be operated under the
Public Private Partnership.
 By the end of GCAP in 2017, Ghana will be able to
produce enough rice to feed herself and also
become the breadbasket for the West African sub-
60 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
region. Meet The Press 2012

61. THE WAY FORWARD
CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES
 Extension approaches will be reinforced in farmers
fora and agricultural advisory services, junior farm
fields and life skills to be stepped up;
 Land bank – update directory in collaboration with
MLNR; link landowners to investors and Lands
Commission to assist in negotiations;
 Improved technologies will be encouraged and
adopted
 Mainstreaming of the value chain concept is ongoing
61 to strengthen capacity and linkagesMinistry of FoodPressAgriculture
of Meet The And 2012
actors

62. THE WAY FORWARD
CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES CONT…
 The value chain approach is to be complemented by
the sector wide approach for indentifying and
engaging key stakeholders in collaboration with a
multi-stakeholder steering committee.
 Closing the yield gaps for increased productivity,
through:
 Irrigation development – support for both large,
small and micro schemes
62 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2012

63. THE WAY FORWARD
CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES CONT….
 Subsistence farmers will be targeted with
interventions in small schemes in both surface and
underground water to reduce their vulnerability
and help them improve productivity and market
orientation.
 Mechanisation along the value chain is to be
intensified.
 A minimum of one AMSEC is to be set up in the
remaining districts with the full complement of
machinery/equipment.
63 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2012

64. THE WAY FORWARD
CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES CONT…
 Promotion of improved seeds/planting
materials/livestock breeds, and culture fisheries
 Fertilizer and Seed Subsidy - government will
continue to bear the cost of subsidy as a
measure to improve productivity;
 Build Farmer Based Organisation (FBOs)
capacity to apply good agricultural practices and
for business orientation.
64 Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2012

65. THE WAY FORWARD
CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES CONT…
 Database is being developed for farmers to be
identified through an ID system for easy outreach;
 FBOs being strengthened through:
-Group Dynamics to access services;
-Promotion of out-grower schemes to bring
services, standards and markets to farmers.
 Procurement process in place to provide all
Agricultural Extension Agents with motor bicycles
by the end of 2012 for effective extension service
65 delivery.
Ministry of Food And Agriculture
Meet The Press 2009

66. CONCLUSION
 Outlook
 Implementation of the sector policy and
investment plan
 Sector wide approach with value chain
development,
 Inclusive and participatory stakeholder
engagement
 Harnessing both technical and financial resources
to support interventions in a holistic and
harmonized manner
66  Promote mutual accountability for growth and
Ministry of Food And Agriculture Meet
The Press 2012

67. T H A NK YOU
F OR
YOUR AT T E NT I ON
Ministry of Food And Agriculture 67
Meet The Press 2012