The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, has urged farmers to abandon traditional farming methods, emphasizing that they hinder the agricultural progress the country seeks to achieve.

He encouraged the adoption of digital farming techniques to boost productivity and enhance food security.

In a speech delivered on his behalf at the Fifth Department of Development and Social Services (DDSS) Consultation of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana at Abokobi near Accra, the minister noted that modern technology, particularly digital innovation, is driving a revolution in agriculture. Technologies such as artificial intelligence are transforming farming practices and optimizing food production, he stated.

"The traditional way of farming is a hindrance to the level of agriculture stage we want to reach. The main reason our farmers still practice the traditional farming way is because they had successes. It has become extremely difficult to encourage them to incorporate these digital platforms in their farming practices,” Mr. Acheampong said.

He highlighted the ongoing digitalization of agriculture, which offers opportunities to improve the sector, but acknowledged the reluctance of smallholder farmers to adopt these new techniques.

Mr. Acheampong called on religious institutions, particularly the Presbyterian Church, to collaborate with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) in promoting the use of digital farming technologies. He also encouraged the church to leverage the Planting for Food and Jobs program to help address food security challenges.

The minister expressed optimism about the Ghana Agriculture and Agribusiness Platform (GhAAP), a web-based platform designed to provide farmers with access to vital resources such as real-time weather data, market information, and best farming practices. He urged farmers to utilize the platform to enhance their productivity.

"The digital service will offer reliable agricultural data," he said, calling on farmers to embrace the information available on the platform to improve their practices.

The GhAAP platform aims to enhance coordination, transparency, interaction, tracking, and real-time reporting in the agricultural sector. However, several challenges remain, including high costs, limited skills, and inadequate infrastructure, as noted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

Dr. Abraham N. O. Kwakye, Moderator for the General Assembly, reaffirmed the Church's commitment to initiatives that address both the spiritual and physical needs of the community. He praised the Church's long-standing contribution to Ghana’s agricultural sector and development, focusing on food security and improving farmers’ livelihoods.

Rebecca Tagoe Sabah, National Director for DDSS, highlighted the Church’s collaborative efforts in agriculture, health, and entrepreneurship, which contribute to 13 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She also pointed out the Church’s initiative to foster young entrepreneurs through the establishment of entrepreneurship hubs aimed at promoting youth employment.