6th November 2024 5:30:00 AM
2 mins readGovernment is expected to allocate GH¢2.7 billion to fund the second phase of the GH¢3.3 billion Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) initiative, intended to boost the country’s agricultural productivity.
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This funding, detailed in the Ministry of Food and Agriculture’s 2024-2027 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), represents over 80% of the program’s total budget, with the remaining funds to be provided by international development partners.According to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, PFJ 2.0 is designed to modernise farming practices, aiming to make Ghana self-sufficient in staple food commodities by 2028.
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The initiative promises advancements in crop and livestock production, irrigation systems, and sustainable land management. The ministry has emphasised that the program’s success hinges on the full cooperation of stakeholders across the agricultural value chain.
despite the government’s significant financial commitment, the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) has raised concerns
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over the program’s implementation. PFAG and several farming groups argue that PFJ 2.0 has been compromised by political interference, which they claim hampers its effectiveness. According to PFAG, many farmers have not received adequate support or inclusion in the program, with nearly 80% of farmers reportedly unregistered by the third quarter of 2024.
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PFAG has suggested that the Ministry’s technical directors, rather than political figures, should lead the project to ensure it meets farmers’ needs directly. The association has described PFJ 2.0 as uninspiring, citing a lack of tangible, solution-oriented strategies.
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PFAG claims that critical areas such as irrigation expansion and road infrastructure improvements—key components for effective agricultural policy—have been neglected under PFJ 2.0.By addressing these issues, PFAG believes the program could better serve Ghana’s farmers and the broader agricultural sector, ultimately contributing to sustainable food security and economic resilience.
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