Former Food and Agriculture Minister, Dr Afriyie Owusu Akoto, has voiced his support for the use of improved seed varieties as a means to enhance agricultural productivity in Ghana.
In his view, the adoption of these improved seeds holds greater potential for advancing farming output compared to the construction of dams.
Dr. Afriyie Akoto, who is also vying to lead the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the upcoming national election in 2024, argues that given the substantial cost associated with dam construction, it is more economically prudent for a developing country like Ghana to prioritize the utilization of improved seed varieties rather than investing heavily in dams.
He believes that by embracing these improved seeds, Ghana can make significant strides in improving its agricultural sector.
“..It is like buying a VW compared to buying a Mercedes Benz, irrigation is like Mercedes. If you get a trotro from Madina to the Ministry, it will get you to your office. Somebody will also come from Madina in a Mercedes Benz, it depends upon affordability. You talk about irrigation, it is very expensive, you talking about billions of dollars,” he cited.
He mentioned that the Kpalugu irrigation scheme is not cheap, considering that it will cost billions of dollars.
“What is cheap and can be effective in helping smallholders is by using the rainfall patterns that we have had since time immemorial, to improve upon the work that they are doing, that we could afford.”