Ghana is self-sufficient in food production despite decline – UNDP

According to a National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) report, despite the decline in the production of major staples including millet, sorghum and plantain, Ghana was self-sufficient in food production as the total production available for human consumption was more than estimated national demand in 2012.

The 313-page Annual Progress Report (APR) titled “Implementation of the Ghana Shared Growth and Development Agenda (GSGDA), 2010-2013, said total food production for human consumption increased from 21,554,588 metric tons in 2011 to 22,486,181 metric tons.

This far exceeds the estimated national consumption needs of 12,687,354 metric tones in 2012, the report added.

The total surplus recorded for all stables was estimated at 9,798,827 metric tons in 2012, compared to 9,164,000 metric tons in 2011.

However, the report noted that in 2012, about 87 percent of the total food surplus recorded was largely accounted for by surpluses in the roots and tubers because root and tubers are more drought resistance.

Maize and rice production also recorded surplus, the report said. While domestic maize production recorded a surplus of 251,403 metric tons in 2012 compared to 92,000 metric tons in 2011, the gap in rice production for human consumption which increased from 328,000 metric tons in 2010 to 353,000 metric tons in 2011 was further increased to 359,000 metric tons in 2012.

In addition, the report noted that all the staple crops, except plantain, and cowpea, recorded increases in yields in 2012.

Meanwhile, maize and rice which recorded major decline in 2011, experienced significant increases of 13.6 percent and 8.1 percent respectively in 2012. The highest increase in yield of 13.6 percent was recorded in maize, while the highest decline was recorded in cowpea (-6.8%).

The fertilizer and seed subsidy programmes as well as the use of the Farmer Based Organizations (FBOs) in providing extension services, the report observed influenced the improvement in yields for these crops.

On the whole, the report said the overall growth rate of the agriculture sector in 2012 was 1.3 percent compared to 1.8 percent recorded in 2011.

Its contribution to GDP reduced from 25.3 percent in 2011 to 22.7 percent in 2012, the report also noted.

The largest contributor to the sector continues to be the crop sub-sector including cocoa, accounting for 75 percent and 79.7 percent of the Agricultural sector Gross Domestic Production (AGDP) in 2011 and 2012 respectively, the report further noted.