Accra, Oct 21, GNA- Mr. Clement Eledi, Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture in-charge of Crops had observed that Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture (UPA) played a major role in food security and poverty reduction through employment generation, food production and income generation.
Statistics, he said, indicated that a total of 800 million urban and peri-urban dwellers worldwide were involved in UPA around their settlements.
Mr Eledi made the observation when he launched a pilot project on UPA in Accra on Thursday, and also used the occasion to inaugurate the Accra Working Group on Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture (AWGUPA).
He reiterated UPA's overriding role in the country's food security, and admitted that although the rural area housed majority of our farmers, a lot of agricultural production took place in the urban and peri-urban areas of this country.
He said it was gratifying to note that the production of commodities under UPA was done all-year round, thus contributing to food availability and security.
The Deputy Minister recounted the numerous challenges facing UPA, and said these included stiff competition from residential and other land users for space; high cost of inputs; health and environmental concerns and pollution of the environment by farmers.
He said even though UPA was important, the work involved in its improvement must be the collective responsibility of stakeholders.
On AWGUPA, Mr. Eledi said his ministry recognized its role, and assured the group of the ministry's continued support and co-operation. He hoped AWGUPA would continue to work closely with the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), and provide the necessary technical support and advisory services to enable AMA to provide supportive environment for urban farmers.
Mr. Eledi entreated AWGUPA to consider the need to sensitise farmers on improved land and water management practices, as well as the judicious use of agro-chemical to help produce better products to safeguard human life and the environment.
He hoped AWGUPA'a efforts would be reflected in the production habits of farmers; increase both the quantity and quality of products; increase incomes and improve health of the urban population of this country.
Dr. (Mrs) Olufunke Cofie, West Africa Regional Co-ordinator of the International Network of Resource Centres on Urban Agriculture (UA) and Food Security re-emphasized that Urban Agriculture had a crucial role towards the growing urban food demand.
Dr. Cofie said the challenges of UA called for collaboration of a large number of public and private stakeholders to address the issue of UA within the context of overall City Development.
Dr. Nelson Obirih_Opareh, Project Co-ordinator of Science and Technology Policy Research Institute (STEPRI) said the main objective of the Pilot Project was to improve on public awareness and perception on UPA, and to facilitate the development of policy that supported UPA within the Accra Metropolis.
Dr Opareh said the project, which started in September this year, is being implemented by AWGUPA with co-ordination by STEPRI of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, and funding from the Resource Centre for Urban Agriculture and Food Security and the Cities Farming for Future (RUAF-CFF). 21 Oct. 06
