“Akufo-Addo highlights unprecedented achievements in Ghana’s agriculture.” | (अकुफो-एडो घाना के कृषि क्षेत्र में अभूतपूर्व उपलब्धियों का बखान करता है )

Main Points In Hindi (मुख्य बातें – हिंदी में)

1. कृषि सुधारों पर जोर: राष्ट्रपति नाना एडो डंकवा अकुफो-एडो ने 2017 से शुरू किए गए कृषि सुधारों का विवरण दिया, जिसने घाना के कृषि क्षेत्र को आधुनिक बनाने और जलवायु परिवर्तन जैसी चुनौतियों का सामना करने में सक्षम बनाया है।

2. खाद्य सुरक्षा और आर्थिक वृद्धि: राष्ट्रपति ने खाद्य सुरक्षा, आयात प्रतिस्थापन, धन सृजन और नौकरी प्रावधान के उद्देश्य से 21वीं सदी की मांगों को पूरा करने के लिए कृषि को पुनर्जीवित करने की योजनाओं को प्रस्तुत किया।

3. सफलीता के आंकड़े: 2017 से 2023 के बीच कृषि सकल घरेलू उत्पाद की वृद्धि 2.7% से 5.7% तक पहुंच गई, जबकि प्रमुख फसलों के उत्पादन में उल्लेखनीय वृद्धि हुई, जैसे मक्का (135%) और फलियां (68%)।

4. अंतर्राष्ट्रीय मान्यता: घाना को 2023 में अफ्रीकी संघ द्वारा पश्चिम अफ्रीका में शीर्ष प्रदर्शन करने वाले कृषि राष्ट्र के रूप में मान्यता मिली, जो घाना के किसानों की मेहनत और नीति निर्माताओं के प्रयासों का परिणाम है।

5. युवाओं को प्रोत्साहन: कृषि में युवाओं की भागीदारी को बढ़ावा देने के लिए सरकार ने 100,000 स्टार्टर पैक वितरित किए, जिससे वे खेती को एक लाभदायक करियर के रूप में देखने के लिए प्रेरित हो सकें।

Main Points In English(मुख्य बातें – अंग्रेज़ी में)

Here are the main points from President Nana Akufo-Addo’s speech celebrating the 40th National Farmers’ Day in Ghana:

1. Achievements in Agriculture: President Akufo-Addo highlighted the "unprecedented" achievements in Ghana’s agricultural sector since 2017, focusing on transforming it into a dynamic, resilient, and productive industry able to tackle modern challenges like climate change.

2. Support for Farmers and Fishermen: He emphasized his administration’s commitment to supporting the well-being of farmers and fishermen, asserting their crucial role as the backbone of Ghana’s economy. Government initiatives are aimed at ensuring food security, job creation, and income generation.

3. Planting for Food and Jobs Program (PFJ): The PFJ program, launched in 2017, has provided subsidies for essential inputs like seeds and fertilizers to improve food production. The program has five key modules that focus on increasing food crop production and promoting sustainable jobs in agriculture.

4. Significant Growth in Agricultural Output: Between 2017 and 2023, Ghana’s agriculture GDP growth increased from 2.7% to 5.7%. Notable increases in the production of key crops (e.g., maize, cassava, and plantains) were reported, reflecting enhanced food availability and improved livelihoods for farmers.

5. Youth Involvement and Future Outlook: The administration has initiated programs to engage the youth in agriculture, providing starter packs to encourage them to pursue farming as a viable career. The speech concluded with a commitment to building a climate-resilient agricultural future that ensures food security and job creation for future generations.

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Complete News In Hindi(पूरी खबर – हिंदी में)

Complete News In English(पूरी खबर – अंग्रेज़ी में)

On Friday, November 8, 2024, during a speech celebrating the 40th National Farmers’ Day, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo highlighted the remarkable achievements in Ghana’s agricultural sector, which he described as "extraordinary" in scale and impact.

Addressing farmers, agricultural stakeholders, and policymakers, President Akufo-Addo emphasized the significant steps taken since 2017 to transform Ghana’s agriculture into a dynamic, resilient, and productive sector capable of facing modern challenges, particularly those posed by climate change.

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The President stated that his administration has prioritized the welfare of farmers and fishermen, recognizing them as the backbone of Ghana’s economy. He said, "Your welfare is Ghana’s strength," noting that government efforts are directed toward food security, wealth creation, and job provision. He mentioned the launch of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) program in 2017, aimed at modernizing and revitalizing agriculture to meet the demands of the 21st century. "Our goals were ambitious," he acknowledged, stressing the aim of achieving food security, promoting import substitution, creating wealth, and generating jobs, especially for the youth.

Under the PFJ program, the government introduced subsidies for essential inputs like seeds and fertilizers, making them more accessible to farmers across the country. The initiative consists of five main modules: food crops, Planting for Export and Rural Development (PERD), livestock, mechanization, and greenhouse gardening. President Akufo-Addo explained that these modules aim to not only increase food production but also enhance Ghana’s export value and create sustainable jobs.

In August 2023, the PFJ was expanded to PFJ 2.0, representing a shift from traditional subsidies to a market-linked agricultural input credit system designed to enhance resilience and stability within the sector.

President Akufo-Addo shared data showcasing the success of the PFJ. From 2017 to 2023, agricultural GDP growth surged from 2.7% to an impressive 5.7%. There were dramatic increases in the production of staple crops, with maize, legumes, and tubers rising by 100%, 68%, and 59%, respectively.

These growth figures reflect not just economic data but also translate into greater food availability, job creation, and improved livelihoods for farmers nationwide. The President noted, "Increased production has brought us closer to food self-sufficiency, especially in key crops like maize, cassava, and bananas." Furthermore, non-traditional agricultural exports rose from $371 million in 2016 to $515 million in 2022, highlighting Ghana’s growing influence in global agricultural markets.

This progress has received international recognition. In 2023, Ghana was ranked as the top-performing agricultural nation in West Africa by the African Union’s biennial review, a significant leap from seventh place in 2017. The President credited this success to the dedication of Ghanaian farmers and the policies implemented by his administration to support them. "This is an achievement that belongs to you, the farmers of Ghana," he declared.

Highlighting specific successes, the President pointed to significant increases in crop yields. During the first phase of the PFJ, maize yields increased by 135%, rice by 67%, and soybean by 18%. He attributed this progress to government-supported reforms in agricultural practices, access to quality seeds, and modern agricultural technologies.

By 2022, certified seed distribution had soared from just 2,000 metric tons in 2016 to 36,000 metric tons, raising the adoption rate among farmers from 7% to 36%. There were also improvements in fertilizer access, with applications rising from 8 kilograms per hectare in 2016 to 22 kilograms per hectare in 2022, directly boosting productivity.

Mechanization has also been a priority, ensuring that every farmer has access to necessary equipment. From 2017 to 2022, over 12,200 units of machinery—including tractors, power tillers, and combine harvesters—were distributed to farmers across the country. Additionally, agricultural mechanization service centers grew from 67 in 2016 to 176 in 2022, bringing essential services closer to farmers and increasing productivity.

Significant investment has also been made in irrigation infrastructure to tackle water availability issues. Since 2016, an additional 9,233 hectares have been brought under irrigation, totaling over 231,000 hectares, thereby allowing farmers to grow crops during dry seasons and reducing reliance on rain-fed agriculture.

Moreover, the government has addressed post-harvest losses by constructing 69 out of a planned 80 warehouses, each with a capacity of 1,000 metric tons. New aggregation centers and packhouses are also being established to support vegetable farmers, provide secure storage, and help farmers obtain better prices for their produce.

President Akufo-Addo also emphasized the importance of engaging the next generation in agriculture through initiatives for youth. The government has distributed 100,000 starter packs containing essential tools like spraying machines and protective gear, encouraging young people to view farming as a viable and profitable career. This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to building a skilled, resilient, and forward-looking workforce in agriculture.

Beyond crop production, the President reiterated the administration’s support for cocoa farmers, who are vital to Ghana’s economy. A strategic partnership agreement with Côte d’Ivoire introduced a living income differential (LID) of $400 per ton to ensure fair prices for cocoa farmers.

The government has also set record-high producer prices and launched a pension scheme to provide financial security for retired farmers.

In April 2024, Ghana inaugurated the Côte d’Ivoire-Ghana Cocoa Initiative headquarters in Accra, strengthening a partnership that represents 65% of global cocoa production and amplifying Ghana’s voice in international markets.

In the fisheries sector, the President discussed the Aquaculture Program launched in July 2024, aimed at boosting domestic fish production and creating 50,000 jobs for youth and women. The commencement of modern fishing ports in Elmina and Jamestown further supports this sector, enhancing fish management and storage capacities while benefiting local economies.

Concluding his speech, President Akufo-Addo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to agricultural advancement and resilience. He stated, "We have laid the foundation for a secure, climate-resilient agricultural future that will ensure food security, create jobs, and build wealth for future generations."

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