Benjamin A. Commey, GNA
Accra, Nov. 25, GNA – Mr Eric Opoku, Minister of Food and Agriculture, has said government will procure over 4,000 agricultural machines and implements to equip the first 50 Farmers’ Service Centres (FSCs) under the Feed Ghana Programme.
He explained that the move formed part of a major mechanisation push to modernise agriculture and boost productivity nationwide.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series in Accra on Monday, the Minister said the procurement process would deliver more than 660 tractors, 400 combine harvesters, and several complementary machines.
He noted that the FSCs would particularly benefit smallholder farmers who lacked access to mechanisation services.
“These centres will provide services such as land preparation, input supply, harvesting support, storage facilities, extension advisory services, market linkage and equipment leasing at affordable rates especially to smallholder farmers,” he said.
The Minister emphasised that modernisation required not only machines but also a strengthened frontline workforce.
Expressing concern about Ghana’s current Agricultural Extension Agent (AEA) ratio of 1:1,500 farmers, which is below the recommended 1:500 international standard, he said the Ministry was procuring 540 motorbikes for extension mobility, 150 of which had already been distributed.
He said that 400 AEAs were being recruited as Feed Ghana Coordinators in all districts, with logistics underway for their deployment.
To support long-term extension delivery, Mr Opoku announced that 10,000 youth were being engaged under a four-year National Service programme, with some expected to be retained annually as permanent staff.
He said the initiative also sought to clear the backlog of graduates from agricultural and veterinary colleges dating back to 2015.
The Minister noted the rapid growth of Community Commodity-Focused Farmer Cooperatives and said they were essential structures for coordination and inclusivity.
He said that as of October 11, 2025, some 70,000 cooperatives had been established across the country.
Mr Opoku explained that the cooperatives were being positioned as centres for training, finance, mechanisation access, climate advisory services, and market coordination, adding that they would improve farmers’ bargaining power, promote economies of scale, and enhance collective problem-solving.
“These cooperatives are being integrated into every major intervention-from mechanisation to weather advisory -ensuring no farmer is left behind,
“This is to give the farmers a voice in all agricultural matters. Once they are into cooperatives, they can negotiate for reasonable prices for inputs and reasonable prices for their outputs,” he said.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey