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Akufo-Addo initiates ‘Planting for Food and Jobs’ in today

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President Nana Akufo-Addo will on Wednesday launch his government’s agricultural flagship programme, Planting for Food and Jobs in Goaso, in the Brong Ahafo Region.

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 Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie-Akoto, reveals the programme will cover 2.5 million farmers nationwide after the pilot process.

farmer pesticide

Implementation mechanisms for the project have already been rolled out in some parts of the country.

Last month, a technical committee for the implementation of the initiative was set up in the Volta Region.

A total of 7,914 farmers made of 5,885 males and 1,797 females were registered in the Volta Region for the initiative.

Some 4,862 maize farmers in the region will be tasked with the cultivation of a total area of 14,400 Ha.

Although the initiative targets farmers, Dr Afriyie-Akoto, however, says every Ghanaian can join in for improved agric production.

Meanwhile, the Peasant Farmers Association (PFAG) has criticised initiative for what he describes avoidable lapses in the project.

Programmes Officer of PFAG, Charles Nyaaba, told Joy News imported seed for the programme have delayed and government plans to engage National Service personnel instead of trained Extension officers to work on the project.

PFAG is the umbrella body for over 80% of farmers in Ghana.

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