The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) has organized a roundtable discussion to sensitize peasant farmers on the Planting for Food and Jobs programme for 2018.

The discussion focused on 2017 and 2018 implementation of Planting for Food and Jobs, successes of the programme, its challenges as well as recommendations from the 2017 implementation. The issue of the Fall Armyworm and plans to reduce its infestation was a paramount topic that was tabled for discussion.

Tackling the Fall Armyworm infestation

Addressing the Fall Armyworm situation, the Director of the Directorate of Crop Services at the Ministry for Food and Agriculture, Emmanuel Asante Krobea conceded that the situation was one that cannot be eliminated completely. Likening the presence of the Fall Armyworms to that of mosquitoes, Mr. Krobea explained that the Ministry is working out coping techniques to address the issue.



“The fall armyworms situation is like mosquitoes. Mosquitoes have always been with us and they are always there. But now we are trying to develop systems so that they don’t bring us down. If we understand that they will be with us, then we try to develop coping strategies”, he asserted.



Assist government to fight illegal smuggling of fertilizers – MoFA to Ghanaians

Emmanuel Asante Krobea called on Ghanaians to assist the government in fighting the menace of illegal smuggling of fertilizers across the borders. He alleged that majority of the people culpable of this act are Ghanaian citizens living in the same communities with the farmers, thus the need for farmers to assist security institutions in tackling the illegal smuggling of fertilizers in and out of the country.

“Smuggling is a national challenge and we always count on the farmers and our various stakeholders to all come on board and assist, especially the security agencies and everybody. We always count on our security agencies and our farmers because those who smuggle are in our communities”, he claimed.



Background

The Planting for Food and Job Campaign is a policy introduced by the NPP government to help address the declining growth of Ghana’s agricultural sector.

The five-year-long policy is geared towards increasing food production and ensure food security for the country as well as reduce food import bills to the barest minimum.

It is also an avenue to modernize agriculture and make it a source of employment for the teeming youths. Packages associated with the programme include the supply of Improved Seeds and fertilizers to farmers at a 50% subsidy, as well as the free extension services to farmers.