Hon Collins Ntim
The government is set to launch two new initiatives, Planting for Export and Rural Development (PERD) to argument existing flagship program Planting For Food on Tuesday, April 23.
The programme seeks to create a sustainable raw material base for farmers across the country to increase Ghana’s revenue in the exportation of agricultural products.
Speaking on GBC’s Uniiq FM Breakfast Drive, the Deputy Minister Local Government in Charge of Rural Economy and Agriculture, Hon Collins Ntim, stated that, the Planting for Export and Rural Development (PERD) Programme is a decentralised National Tree Crop Programme to promote rural economic growth and improve household incomes of rural farmers through the provision of certified improved seedlings, extension services, business support in order to increase exports .
He noted that, the PERD program which seeks to complement the Planting for food and jobs program, is a response to the government’s decentralised industrialisation agenda, “one district one factory”.
He added that the PERD is a five (5) year program targeting one million farmers to cultivate an average of one hectare of land each where certified seeds will be given to farmers.
According to Hon Collins Ntim, the government is carrying out the PERD program to bring about diversification in the agricultural economy of the country, by bringing on board between 6 and 8 major cash crops to the level akin to that of cocoa to every district in the country.
“We have a comprehensive system that is being regulated to meet the agenda and mission of His Excellency, trying to use agriculture as a tool to develop every facet of the country. This explains why every district in Ghana is involved. We have validated 98 districts that we are doing cashew, 30 districts for oil palm, 35 districts for coconut, 30 districts for rubber and 14 for Shea. We are using agriculture as a tool not only to create jobs but to establish a sustainable raw material base to feed the local industries for exports,” he noted.
The National Coordinator of the Planting and Export for Development (PERD), Patrick Zeal also added that, the PERD program is an initiative by the Ministry of Agriculture which is being driven by Local Government.
He further explained that, to be able to create wealth in the rural economy to increase exports, the role of the local government is very essential. The government is using the decentralised system to be able to reach every farmer across the country through the local government.
“At the district level, each district is expected to support at least five thousand (5,000) farmers with planting materials. All these farmers in the district are owned by then district executives and district assemblies. The district Agriculture Director is under the local government. That is why we have seen that, to be able to reach every farmer across the country is to use the local government. So that as long as we use Agriculture, everybody in Ghana will have an effect towards that,” he said.
He also hinted that the program will be graced by the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
