Government’s flagship initiative, the Planting for Food and Jobs Programme (PFJ), is undergoing a review process in preparation for its second phase, which will involve collaboration with the private sector.
Consequently, government subsidies on fertiliser and other agricultural inputs have been temporarily suspended until the review is concluded. This announcement was made by Dr Hafiz Bin Salih, the Upper West Regional Minister.
Despite this suspension, significant quantities of fertiliser and other farming supplies have been brought into the region and are readily accessible in the open market for farmers this year.
Dr Bin Salih explained that in the second phase of the PFJ programme, the government’s role will be to shift its focus towards the private sector, which will be responsible for delivering subsidised farm inputs.
The Regional Minister shared this information during a meeting at the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council in Wa. The meeting brought together municipal and district chief executives, district coordinators, presiding members, heads of departments, institutions, and agencies.
The primary discussion topics included government interventions and their impact on the well-being of the population.
Dr Bin Salih also noted that information from the Regional Directorate of the Department of Food and Agriculture indicated that many farmers who cultivated extensive plots of land were unable to complete their planting due to the unpredictable rainfall pattern.
This erratic weather pattern has shortened the planting timeframe for the current year.
“As a result, the land size cultivated this year had reduced. However, from close observation of the performance of the crops, food security would be assured”, he said.
He said for the past four years, many agriculture extension officers had been recruited to help improve the staffing situation of the department, and they had been deployed to the fields for every farmer to access advisory services.
The Regional Coordinating Council, per Article 255 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, mandates the House to meet at least twice a year to share ideas, advise on issues and take the right and appropriate decisions that would benefit the people.
The various assemblies presented reports on infrastructural development, security and the government’s social and economic interventions on the living conditions of the people in the communities.