MINISTER’S PRESS BRIEFING
Transcript of MINISTER’S PRESS BRIEFING
MINISTER’S PRESS BRIEFING 1
PRESS BRIEFING
BY
HON. DR. OWUSU AFRIYIE AKOTO
MINISTER FOR FOOD AND
AGRICULTURE
29th August 2021 2
Presentation Outline
1. INTRODUCTION
2. MAJOR ISSUES
❑ Expansion in Fertilizer and Seed Distribution
❑ Improvement in extension service delivery
❑ Intensified surveillance of farms and live bird markets in the wake of Avian influenza
outbreak
❑ Sector contributes 48% of factories under 1D1F initiative
3. CONCLUSION 3
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The Ministry has mandate to promote sustainable agriculture and
thriving agribusiness through:
▪research and technology development,
▪effective extension and other support services to:
➢producers, processors, distributors and consumers for:
➢improved food security, nutrition and incomes.
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Agriculture Situation Prior to Inception of PFJ in 2017
•Only 11% of food crop farmers using improved seeds
•About 15% farmers using fertilizers
•Fertilizer application rates was 8kg/Ha
•Extension-Farmer Ratio was 1:1,900
•Total number of Extension Agents in 2016 was 1,560 5
Agriculture Situation Prior to Inception of PFJ in 2017 Cont’d
• Yields of most staple crop varieties (maize, rice & root tubers) were
between 40%-45% of potential yields.
• Vegetable exports to the EU were banned.
• Rising devastating effects of the Fall Army Worm (FAW) on crops
especially maize.
• All 68 mechanization centers were down and providing no service to
farmers. 6
Key Objectives of Priority Programmes
• Productivity Improvement
• Food Self Sufficiency, Import Substitution & Export Promotion
• Warehousing & Expansion of National Food Storage Capacity
• Agro-processing including cocoa– Ghana beyond Aid
• Job Creation
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Agricultural GDP Growth Rate (%)- 2016-2020
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Ag GDP
Growth Rates
6.7 6.2 4.9 4.7 7.4*
Crops 2.2 7.2 5.8 5.3 8.7
Cocoa 7 9.2 3.7 5.4 1.9
Livestock 5.4 5.7 5.4 5.4 5.4
* Contributions of Fisheries and Forestry sub-sectors inclusive8
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Planting for Food and Jobs sees an Expansion in Fertilizer and Seeds Distribution- Food Crops Module
1. Planting for Food and Jobs sees an Expansion in Fertilizer and
Seeds Distribution- Food Crops Module
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2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Target 200,000 500,000 1,000,000 1,200,000 1,500,000
Total Beneficiaries 202,000 677,000 920,000 1,700,000
-
200,000
400,000
600,000
800,000
1,000,000
1,200,000
1,400,000
1,600,000
1,800,000
Nu
mb
er o
f B
enef
icia
ries
Year
Target Total Beneficiaries
Target
Increased Number of PFJ Beneficiaries
Expanded Quantities of Fertilizer (MT) Distributed under PFJ- Food Crops Module
134,000 121,000
247,039
331,348
423,473
520,000
-
100,000
200,000
300,000
400,000
500,000
600,000
2016-Base
Yr.
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Qu
an
tity
MT
Year
2021
TARGET
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Expanded Quantities of seeds supplied (MT)-Food Crops Module
2,750 4,400
6,822
18,333
29,500
40,000
-
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
35,000
40,000
45,000
2016-Base Yr. 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Qu
an
tity
(M
T)
Year
2021
TARGET
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Food Crops Module - Demonstrations Intensified
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Row Planting Demonstration Plots in
Levorketu, Jasikan District,Volta RegionA Dry Season Cabbage Demonstration
Field- Bekwai-Ashanti Region
A typical PFJ farm in the Northernregion in 2020
PFJ Maize farm at Savelugu (Kukobila) in the Northern Region
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Yield of Major Crops (MT./Ha)
Crop 2016* 2017** 2018** 2019** 2020** % Change in PFJ
(2020/2016
Achievable yield
Maize 1.7 3.5 3.5 3.8 3.3*** 94% 5.5
Rice 2.7 4 4 4.3 4.5 67% 6.0
Sorghum 1.1 1.24 1.39 1.57 2.0 82% 2.0
Soybean 1.7 3 3 2 1.6*** -6% 3.0
*National average **PFJ Average *** Drought effect15
Drought affected farm at Sewua in the Afram Plains North District.- Eastern region
Drought Spell in 2020
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Wilted maize field in Babator, Kintampo North in the Bono East Region
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Trends in Major Staple Crop Production (‘000MT) Under the PFJ
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CROP
TYPE
2017 2018 2019 2020 Expected for
2021
Maize 485 637.2 1,523 2,019 1,806*
Rice (Paddy) 179 416 563 919.8 1,624
Soybean 33.4 119.5 137 193 345
* Expected reduction in maize production due to shortage of fertilizer supply in 2021
Trends of National Food Production (‘000MT)
Crop 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 **% Change
(2020/2019)
Maize 1,722 2,011 2,306 2,912 3,071 5.47
Rice (Paddy) 688 722 769 925 973 5.19
Millet 159 163 182 230 236 2.52Sorghum 230 278 316 347 356 2.56
Soybean 143 170 177 193 209 8.46
Groundnuts 426 434 521 558 566 1.42
Cowpea 206 211 237 254 257 1.33
Cassava 17,798 19,009 20,846 22,713 24,369 7.29
Yam 7,440 7,857 7,789 8,754 8,946 2.19
Cocoyam 1,344 1,387 1,461 1,549 1,596 3.06
Plantain 4,000 4,279 4,688 5,477 5,881 7.39
** Provisional Data 19
Annual Trends For Maize and Rice Imports (MT)
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YEAR
CROP 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
MAIZE 113,855 79,771 40,661 81,708 8,819 9,353
RICE 1,082,224 982,044 819,839 830,127 1,087,516 708,018
Trends of Annual Average Wholesale Prices (GHS) for White Maize (2015-2020)
146139
119
89
105
155
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Pri
ce (
GH
C/1
00
Kg
YEAR 21
Drought
Effect
Trends of Staple Food Exports to Neighboring Countries (MT) (2015-2020)
Commodities 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Maize 11,015 10,909 19,666 23,483 14,128 17,240
Rice 3,400 3,066 3,671 3,527 759 322
Yam 2,489 10,503 13,352 24,667 29,078 31,127
Plantain 16,052 21,459 40,935 43,802 40,190 20,667
Soyabean 2,198 2,073 3,569 3,575 830 697
Total 35,154 48,011 81,193 99,054 84,986 70,05222
Comparing Ghana’s Food Security Situation to Neighboring
Countries
Ghana has stable food security situation Source: SAHEL ET AFRIQUE DE L’OUEST: SITUATION ALIMENTAIRE ET NUTRITIONNELLE 2020-21, CILSS, 2021
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Warehouses for Storage of Grains – Food Crop Module
• Target - 80 warehouses
MoFA - 30
Completed - 21
MSDI - 50 handed over to MoFA.
Total available space when allcompleted – 114,000MT
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Improvement in Extension Service Delivery Under the
Planting For Food And Jobs
2. Improvement in extension service delivery under the planting for Food and Jobs.
Staff and Logistics to facilitate
extension delivery
2016(a)
2017-2020(b)
Total to date (since 2016)(a+b)
Agric. Extension Officers
1,586 2,700 4,286
Extension-Farmer
Ratio1:1,900 1:709 1:709
Vehicles 178 305 483
Motor Bikes 1,000 3,367 4,367
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Handing over ceremony of Vehicles between Global Affairs Canada and
the Ministry (MoFA)
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Agriculture Sector Accounts for 48% of Factories under 1D1F
Initiative
1D1FObjective
• Create massive employment for the teaming youth in rural and peri-
urban communities thereby improve income levels and standard of
living as well as reduce rural urban migration
Link to Agriculture
• Raw materials to feed the agro-industries
• Provide ready market for agricultural produce
• Reduce post-harvest losses
• Create jobs and reduce rural-urban migration29
Status of Agriculture Sector Contribution to 1D1F Companies (278)
AGRO PROCESSING
& LIVESTOCK
48%
MANUFACTURING
44%
OTHERS
8%
AGRO PROCESSING & LIVESTOCK
MANUFACTURING
OTHERS
• About 49% of factories are agro-based. 30
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Region Agro Processing and Livestock
Ashanti 27
Bono 14
Ahafo 3
Bono East 4
Central 9
Eastern 15
Greater Accra 13
Northern 4
North East 2
Savannah 4
Upper West 6
Upper East 6
Volta 10
Oti 2
Western 12
Western North 4
Total 135
AGRO-BASED INDUSTRIES UNDER 1D1F
Interventions to Support Sustainability of 1D1F
The PFJ by its design will amongst others sustain the 1D1F agenda of
government through implementation of the five modules:
• FOOD CROP MODULE
• TREE CROP MODULE- PERD
• GREENHOUSE VILLAGES
• LIVESTOCK DEVELOPMENT- RFJ 32
Tree Crops Modules – PERDTotal Seedlings Distributed (‘000)
2018 2019 2020
Crop Type Achieved Achieved Achieved Total
Cashew 3,872 3,683 3,816 11,371
Coffee 1,115 2,197 100 3,412
Coconut 160 178 314 652
Oil Palm 3,061 872 3,5237,456
Mango N/A N/A 162 162
Rubber N/A N/A 135 135
TOTAL 8,208 6,930 8,050 23,188
Total seedlings distributed over three years is 23.188 Million 33
PERD Seedlings for Farmers at Kintampo in Bono East Region
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Planting for Export and Rural Development - PERD
• Enactment of Tree Crops Development Act, TDCA
(1010) - December 2019
• Inauguration of Tree Crops Development Authority
to develop and regulate the tree crop sub-sector –
Sept 2020
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Greenhouse Technology Development (Vegetable Production)
Greenhouse Training centres established at:
• Akumadan - (14,440 m2)
• Bawjiase - (14,440 m2)
• Dawhenya - (38,260 m2)
Total capacity – (67,140 m2)
Number of Agricultural Trainees (Degree, HND, and Certificate Holders):
• Total number of youth trained at the three centres - 537
• Total number sent to Israel to undertake paid internship - 190
• Number of interns who have returned from Israel - 151
• Number of Interns currently in Israel - 3936
Greenhouse Training Centre - Dawhenya
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Greenhouse Training Centre - Bawjiase
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Greenhouse Training Centre - Akumadan
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The Hon. Minister Addressing Trainees at DawhenyaTraining Centre
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Cucumber
Production in a
Greenhouse Facility
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Policy Intervention Schemes TargetedExpected
Coverage (Ha) Small Earth Dams Constructed 14 earth dams 240
Large scale irrigation infrastructure Developed/Rehabilitated
Tono
Kpong left bank (Togorme)
Kpong Irrigation Scheme
Tamne Phase II
Mprumem Phase II
2,852
2,100
2,490
300
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Total 7817
IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENT
Irrigable Land Developed at Kpong Left Bank Irrigation Project
Aerial View of Land Developed
for Irrigation
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before
Before
Rehabilitated Canal at Tono Irrigation Project
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After
Agricultural Mechanization Promotion –Mechanization Module
• A total of 8,980 units of various machinery and equipment were imported and
distributed in 2019 and 2020
• Total beneficiaries - 927 made up of 33 District Assemblies and individuals.
• 8,148 ha of land developed for 76 commercial and smallholder rice, maize and
soya farmers under the Savannah Zone Agricultural Productivity Improvement
Project (SAPIP) funded by AfDB
• 33 bulldozer operators trained in Tamale and operating in Northern, North East,
Savannah, Upper East, Upper West & Bono East Regions
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Agricultural Mechanization Development –Mechanization Module
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Rearing for Food and Jobs - Livestock Module
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Interventions Beneficiaries Locations Remarks /
Output
2,370 Breeding pigs locally sourced
have been distributed (Year, 2021)
474 farmers Western North, Ashanti,
Volta, Central & Greater
Accra Regions
Undertaken in 2021
A total of 7,500 improved breeding
stock Djalonke sheep sourced from
Burkina Faso were distributed
750 farmers All Northern Regions
including Oti Region
5,471 off springs
were produced and
transferred to other
farmers
1,290 improved breeding stock of
West African Dwarf goats sourced
from Burkina Faso have been
distributed
25 out breeder farmers and
2 livestock breeding
stations
Bono East Region
(Kintampo)
Northern Region
(Savelugu)
Undertaken in 2021
From 2019 to 2021, a total of
116,000 cockerels supplied
11,600 smallholder farmers All 16 regions Undertaken in 2021
Rearing for Food and Jobs - Livestock Module
• 1,200 poultry battery cages imported from China for 1,200 women
farmers
• 9 mechanized boreholes drilled for 9 livestock breeding stations at
Amrahia, Ejura, Nkwanta, Kintampo, Pong-Tamale, Wulugu, Babile,
Doba & Busa.
• 11 livestock sheds have been constructed for 5 livestock breeding
stations at Ejura, Nkwanta, Babile, Doba & Busa .48
New Livestock shed at EjuraSheep Breeding Station
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Improved Breeds of Sheep Supplied to Farmers
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Cockerels Supplied to Farmers in Oti Region
Rearing for Food & Jobs -RFJ
A total of 53 poultry farmers were supported to produce
44,000 broilers under the input subsidy support in the Eastern,
Greater Accra & Ashanti Regions as a pilot in 2020
(50% subsidy provided on the cost of Day-Old-Chicks,
Vaccines and Feed for first 2 weeks)
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Rearing for Food and Jobs - Livestock Module
•Three (3) laboratories located in Accra, Takoradi and Pong
Tamale were refurbished and upgraded to conduct COVID-19
testing.
•To date, a total of 107,588 individuals have been tested at
these laboratories.
•Three (3) staff trained to manage veterinary laboratory at
Dormaa in Bono Region.53
CURRENT OUTBREAK AND MANAGEMENT OF BIRD FLU IN GHANA
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NATURE OF AVIAN INFLUENZA (BIRD FLU)
• Viral
• Highly pathogenic (causes severe diseases)
• Highly contagious and high mortality
• It is zoonotic (communicable to humans)
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History of occurrence in Ghana
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Date of
outbreak
Region(s) affected Number of birds affected
2007 (April ) Greater Accra, Brong Ahafo Minimal number
2015 (May) Greater Accra, Eastern, Volta, Central
and Ashanti 148,000
2018 ( Ashanti and Brong Ahafo
12,175
2021(July, 7th) Gt. Accra, Central, Volta, Ashanti,
Western North and Western Regions 107,704
1. Immediate alert of World Organization for Animal Health
2. Awareness creation and sensitization
3. Immediate Ban on movement of poultry and poultry
products from affected farms
4. Stamping out and decontamination of affected farms
5. Intensification of surveillance 57
Protocols for Disease Management
Status of Outbreak and Interventions
Status
• 6 regions affected- (Greater Accra, Central, Volta, Ashanti, Western North and Western)
• Number of farms affected - 43 (culled- 76,077, natural deaths- 31,627)
Interventions (on-going)
1. Sampling, data collection and diagnosis
91 farms sampled
43 farms confirmed presence of the virus
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Status of Outbreak and Interventions
2. Stamping-out and decontamination of affected farms
All 43 farms cleaned and disinfected
3. Nation wide surveillance Intensified
4. On-going public sensitization and awareness creation
5. Immediate ban on movement of poultry and poultry
products imposed
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Challenges Challenges Mitigation Measures
COVID-19 1. Developed a comprehensive plan to mitigate effects2. COVID Alleviation & Revitalization of Enterprises
Support (CARES)
Climate change-Erraticrainfall Patterns
Rehabilitate and construct irrigation facilitiesPromote conservation agricultureEarly warning systems
Smuggling of subsidized inputs
Introduce restricted distribution in border districts. Branding of fertilizer bags, 25 kg bags.Regional Ministers supervising distribution of fertilizers. Engaging support from Security Agencies
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Challenges
Challenges Mitigation Measures
Limited production of improved
seeds (hybrid maize sorghum,
groundnut)
Import from ECOWAS region in the
short term and develop local capacity
Limited Budgetary resources to scale
up interventions and reach more
farmers
MoFA exploring other sources of
funding from development agencies
e.g. IFAD, AfDB, World Bank
Unregulated movement of large
quantities of strategic commodities to
neighbouring countries
Parliament approved an LI to restrict
movement of foodstuffs.
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CHALLENGES
• Inadequate work force for VSD
• Inadequate logistics for effective surveillance
• Inadequate operational budget
• Exclusion of VSD from Integrated customs management system
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• PFJ made considerable impact on national food supply and food
security in spite of the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Provisional Agricultural GDP growth rates increased from 4.7% in 2019
to 7.4% in 2020.
• Government will continue to prioritize agriculture, provide the
necessary support and conducive policy environment to facilitate
investment in the sector.
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CONCLUSION
•A solid foundation laid for diversification of the agricultural
exports by the creation of Tree Crop Development Authority
(TCDA).
•Future expansion of vegetable production and exports by the
introduction of the Greenhouse village.
•The revival of Farm Mechanization Centers provides the basis
for supporting farmers in mechanizing their farm operations.64
CONCLUSION
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
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