Agric minister advocates for digital farming

Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, has urged the adoption of digital farming techniques to enhance agricultural productivity.

He said that digital innovation was driving an agricultural revolution, with technologies such as artificial intelligence significantly transforming farming practices and optimizing food production.

In a speech read for him at the Fifth Department of Development and Social Services (DDSS) Consultation of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana at Abokobi near Accra, the minister noted the potential benefits of modern technology in farming practices.

He emphasised that the integration of innovative technologies was facilitating the rapid digitalization of agriculture.

The event was held under the theme “Celebrating our Heritage: Persisting in Mission through Impactful Social Services.”

It underscored the critical role of religious institutions in providing social services.

Mr. Acheampong noted that a major obstacle to incorporating digitalization in the farming practices of smallholder farmers was their reluctance to move away from traditional farming methods.

“The traditional way of farming is a hindrance to the level of agriculture stage we want to reach. The main reason our farmers still practice the traditional farming way is because they had successes."

“It has become extremely difficult to encourage them to incorporate these digital platforms in their farming practices,” he said.

Mr. Acheampong called on religious institutions, particularly the Presbyterian Church, to collaborate with MoFA in advocating for the adoption of digital technology in farming.

He encouraged the church to utilize the Planting for Food and Jobs flagship program to help the government tackle food security issues in the country.

The minister was optimistic that the Ghana Agriculture and Agribusiness Platform (GhAAP), a comprehensive web-based platformed designed to provide agribusiness value chain actors with vital information, insights, inputs, agronomic practices, market access, and other resources, would significantly enhance support services for smallholder farmers.

He said the platform would provide essential services, including real-time weather data, marketing information, and best farming practices, all readily accessible to farmers.

The digital service, he said, would offer reliable agricultural data, urging farmers to utilize the information available on the platform to improve their productivity.

The GhAAP’s integrated and interoperable system aims to enhance coordination, transparency, interaction, tracking, monitoring, and real-time reporting within the agricultural sector.

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has identified several barriers limiting farmers’ use of digital tools, including high costs, a lack of skills and education, and inadequate infrastructure.

Dr. Abraham N. O. Kwakye, the Moderator for the General Assembly, said the Church was committed to initiatives addressing the physical and spiritual needs of its community.

He noted that for decades, the Church had significantly contributed to Ghana’s agriculture sector and development.

Dr. Kwakye said that the Church’s agricultural initiatives aimed to enhance food security and improve farmers’ livelihoods.

Currently, the Church collaborates with state, international, and private organizations to implement effective interventions for farmers.

Rebecca Tagoe Sabah, National Director for DDSS, stated that the Church’s collaborative efforts across its three units—agriculture, health, and entrepreneurship—contribute to 13 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

She pointed out that through the Church’s initiative to nurture young entrepreneurs, they had begun establishing entrepreneurship hubs to promote youth employment.