Former President John Dramani Mahama has called for a strong focus aimed at encouraging youth to consider opting for agriculture sector.

In addition, he advocated for better seeds, fertiliser and irrigation systems which can have far ranging benefits for the nation.

He spoke on the importance of agriculture in Ghana during the Chicago Council’s Global Food Security Symposium in the USA.

Referring to a programme implemented at Asutsuare, which provided young farmers with improved seeds resulted in an increase in production from under two tonnes of rice per hectare to almost 6.5 tonnes, President Mahama noted that these increases did not only assist the farmers themselves, but the resulting benefits can assist the economy by lowering imports and the associated increased costs to consumers, as well as improving food security.

He noted that the first obstacle was to change the perception of the Ghanaian youth that the agriculture sector is purely subsistence farming, and that opportunities exist to earn a good living.

He noted that many have an archaic notion of agricultural work, but developments in affordability and access to better technologies has meant that the days of poor farmers using hoes and cutlasses are gradually being left behind.

“By increasing efficiency and profitability, as well as removing financial barriers to entry that currently exist, it is hoped that more of the unemployed youth will be enticed into entering the agricultural sector.

“Secondly, the government must provide support, potentially through subsidising access to machinery, as well as providing better quality seeds and fertilisers, to assist with growth,” he added.

President Mahama also addressed the challenges presented by climate change, stressing, “Climate change is real, even though Africa has contributed the least… we are suffering the most extreme effects.”

Decreases in rainfall over the last decade, and an ever-expanding Sahara Desert threatening to creep closer and closer to West Africa, has had a negative impact on farming in Ghana, due largely to reduced farming periods.

This is where the government must focus on expanding irrigation systems throughout the country, as rainfall fed agriculture will continue to struggle without intervention.

If these obstacles can be efficiently addressed and overcome the agriculture sector can flourish in Ghana.

From reducing youth unemployment rates and import quantities, to increasing trade capital, a keen focus on developing the sector can assist in addressing many of the challenges the nation’s economy currently faces.