The Atebubu-Amantin Municipal Office of the Department of Agriculture has held a stakeholder engagement session to discuss the implementation of Phase 2 of the ‘Planting for Food and Jobs‘ farmer registration exercise.
In his opening remarks, Municipal Director of Agriculture Mr. Bright Atta Boateng explained that the sensitization exercise was necessary due to significant changes in the current five-year phase of the program.
Mr. Godwin Gyamerah, Deputy Coordinating Director of the Atebubu-Amantin Municipal Assembly (representing the Municipal Chief Executive), outlined key improvements to the program. “To address challenges from the previous phase, the government will guarantee provision of all necessary inputs to farmers through selected aggregators,” he stated. “Farmers will only need to provide land for cultivation.”
Mr. Yaw Gyarko, Municipal Development Officer for Extension, highlighted a major policy shift: “The government is transitioning from subsidy-based support to an input credit system. This change aims to combat fertilizer smuggling while addressing farmers’ financial constraints in accessing inputs.”
Under the new system:
- Inputs will be supplied through designated dealers
- Beneficiaries will repay with their produce at predetermined prices
- Ten priority crops have been identified across grains, legumes, vegetables, plantains, and roots/tubers
- Broiler chicken production has been included as a focus area
The program’s objectives include ensuring food availability, promoting import substitution and exports, creating employment opportunities, and enhancing food security and resilience.
Mr. James Adu, Bono East Regional Director of Agriculture, addressed participants’ concerns by reflecting on past agricultural initiatives. “Several similar programs failed because beneficiaries didn’t repay credits extended to them,” he noted. “This time, we urge all farmers to honor their commitments to ensure the program’s sustainability.”
The engagement brought together representatives from: Farmers’ groups, Agro-input dealers, Assembly members, Ghana National Fire Service, Municipal Assembly officials, Media representatives
