The Ministry of Food and Agriculture begins implementation of PFJ Phase II (PFJ 2.0)

Dr. Bryan Acheampong, the Minister for Food and Agriculture, at a press briefing on Monday 11th March 2024, has announced the commencement of the farmer registration process under the Planting for Food and Jobs Phase Two (PFJ 2.0) program.

This program aims to build on the successes of the initial PFJ campaign while addressing its limitations. The PFJ 2.0 focuses on a value chain approach, including an Inputs Credit System, Storage and Distribution Infrastructure, Off-take arrangements or Commodity Trading, Digitized Platform, and Line of Sight Management and Coordination.

Dr. Bryan said, to be eligible for the PFJ 2.0, farmers must meet certain requirements, such as having access to land or a farm, capturing their profile at the district level, providing farm or land coordinates, being a Ghanaian citizen with a valid Ghana card, engaging in farming for prioritized commodity crops, and being a legally registered company or institution.

The Minister urged Farmers to register by contacting their local Agricultural Extension Agent (AEA) at the District Department of Agriculture. The PFJ 2.0 is designed to improve agricultural modernization and growth in Ghana, ensuring food security and enhancing the overall agricultural sector.

The Planting for Food and Jobs Phase Two (PFJ 2.0) program will transform and modernize Ghana's agriculture sector through the development of selected agricultural value chains with active private-sector participation. The program has six primary objectives: ensuring food availability, reducing food price inflation, promoting import substitution, increasing exports, creating jobs, and ensuring food security and resilience.

The PFJ 2.0 is built upon five strategic elements: an Inputs Credit System, storage and distribution infrastructure, off-take arrangements or commodity trading, a digitized platform, and line of sight management and coordination.

To benefit from the program, farmers or companies must meet specific requirements, such as having access to land or a farm, providing a profile at the district level, capturing farm or land coordinates, being a Ghanaian citizen with a valid Ghana card, engaging in farming for prioritized commodities, and being a legally registered company or institution.

Registration for the PFJ 2.0 can be done by contacting the nearest District Department of Agriculture or an Agricultural Extension Agent (AEA). The registration process consists of two phases: first, the farmer or company profile is captured, and then the farm or land is measured by capturing its polygons.