Dr. Bryan Acheampong, the Minister for Food and Agriculture, has announced that food grants will be distributed to over 800,000 farmers across the eight regions most impacted by recent dry spells.
The distribution is set to commence on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
During a press briefing in Accra on October 1, the minister outlined the government’s relief measures to combat the effects of the drought. Each affected farmer will receive 25 kg of rice and 100 kg of maize as part of the aid package.
“Additionally, an online grain market is being set up to allow the public to conveniently purchase maize and rice at affordable prices starting October 10,” Dr Acheampong said.
In addition to the food distribution, Dr. Acheampong mentioned the establishment of an online grain market, which will enable the public to purchase maize and rice at reasonable prices starting October 10. The distribution of food grants and inputs will be overseen by the Ghana Agriculture and Agribusiness Platform (GhAAP) to ensure transparency and accountability.
“A team of 3,000 personnel has been deployed nationwide to register farmers and ensure no one is left out of the relief programmes,” he noted.
To ensure comprehensive outreach, a team of 3,000 personnel has been deployed to register farmers and guarantee that all eligible individuals benefit from the relief efforts.
Looking ahead, the minister stressed the importance of investing in agricultural resilience, particularly in irrigation and long-term grain storage solutions. He highlighted the significance of the second phase of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) initiative in enhancing the country’s food security.
“The government has committed to an annual irrigation investment of GHS3 billion over the next decade, alongside a goal of increasing grain storage capacity by 100,000 metric tons per year for the next 16 years,” he stressed.
The government has pledged to allocate GHS3 billion annually over the next ten years for irrigation investments, alongside a target to increase grain storage capacity by 100,000 metric tons per year for the next 16 years.
“The dry spell underscores the importance of long-term agricultural planning and investments. The government, with support from international partners, is committed to ensuring our farmers are equipped to withstand future shocks,” the minister of food and agriculture said.
Dr. Acheampong extended his appreciation to various stakeholders, including the World Bank and ECOWAS, for their support during this crisis.
He reiterated the need for long-term agricultural planning and investments, emphasizing that the government, with international collaboration, is dedicated to empowering farmers to better cope with future challenges. The measures announced are expected to provide crucial relief and stabilize food supplies in the months ahead.