A total of 2,160.08 hectares of land had been put under maize and rice cultivation in the Ashanti Region under the “Planting for food and jobs” programme.

Mr. Joseph Faalong, the Regional Director of the Food and Agriculture Ministry (MOFA), said 1,259.2 hectares of the land had been planted with maize and the remaining 900.88 hectares, cultivated with rice.

In all, 4,456 farmers from across 30 districts were involved in the programme, designed to boost food security, give jobs and help to transform the livelihood of many.

He told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the farmers had been supplied with quality seeds to assure them of improved crop yield.

He indicated that so far 5,401.2 kilograms (kg) of seeds had been supplied to them.

MOFA has targeted to make available 14,916.85 kg of improved planting seeds to the farmers in the region under the programme.

Mr. Faalong also touched on fertilizer distribution and said already 34,522 kg – made up of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) and Urea had been distributed.

He spoke of strong extension services support to the farmers to ensure the success of the programme in the region.

He said they were eager to see substantial increase in food production and returns to the farmer.

The “Planting for food and jobs” programme, has been launched by the government as part of an aggressive drive to transform the nation’s agriculture.

It is expected to raise maize production by 30 per cent, rice by 49 per cent, sorghum, 28 per cent and soya bean, 25 per cent.

The programme is also envisaged to create 750,000 direct and indirect employment.