Agric Min. rolls out modernisation plans

The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna, has said Ghana can no longer depend on rain-fed agriculture as part of modernising agriculture and, thus, holds the position that irrigation should take centre stage to ensure food security.

The Minister said his Ministry had rolled out a number of interventions across the country to make the sector robust.

He said this Thursday May 19 at the Meet The Press series in Accra.

“….As part of modernising agriculture, we can no longer continue to depend on rain-fed agriculture. So, that is why we think the irrigation services will have to take centre stage,” he told the media.

“So, the restructuring of the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority from management of public-funded irrigation schemes, to focus on policy and regulation while private sector implements, is one of the things that we are looking at.

The introduction of a protected production system for vegetable production was one of the interventions he mentioned his Ministry had done to improve the sector adding that “about 100 units have been piloted in all the regions”.

These initiatives, according to Mr Limuna, are “expected to increase employment through engagement of agricultural graduates, youth, etc. and also ensure year-round production and improve produce quality throughout the year”.

He added: “We have been promoting the Ghana Green Label Scheme, aimed at promoting safe food production, post-harvest handling and distribution, using good and environmentally sustainable agricultural practices.

The Minister of Agriculture said: “Farmers, transporters and traders, wholesalers and retailers subscribing to this scheme must implement such practices.”