The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, convened a meeting with Regional Ministers on February 13, 2025, to discuss the government’s agricultural strategies. The meeting focused on strengthening the agricultural sector, with key areas of focus including improvements to irrigation systems, promotion of crop diversification, and support for smallholder farmers.
Regional Ministers acknowledged the significance of these initiatives, noting their alignment with regional development priorities. They also stressed the urgency of addressing challenges facing the agricultural sector, such as pests and diseases, climate variability, and insufficient storage facilities.
To address these challenges, participants proposed enhancing training and resources for farmers. Eric Opoku emphasized the importance of modernizing agricultural practices through collaboration with research institutions, introducing innovative farming techniques and technologies to boost productivity.
Food security remained a central concern, with proposed strategies including expanding community gardens, establishing food banks, and promoting cooperative farming. The Ministers agreed on the need to monitor food supply chains to ensure essential food items are accessible to citizens, particularly during periods of scarcity.
The meeting also explored opportunities for attracting investment into the agricultural sector, specifically in areas like agro-processing and value addition. Mr. Opoku suggested organizing investment forums to showcase regional opportunities to potential investors.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
