The Government has recruited 2,700 Extension Officers since 2017.
The New Patriotic Party before the 2016 General Election pledged to Work to achieve the UN-Recommended 1 Extension Officer to 500 Farmers.
Nana Akufo-Addo led administration also promised to Revive the Grains and Legumes Development Board, and The Board has been resourced to supply foundation and breeder seeds to seed producers to support the “Planting for Food and Jobs initiative,” leading to the accelerated growth of grain production in Ghana.
Under PERD, in 2018 and 2019, 14 million seedlings were raised and distributed to 65,474 farmers (26% of whom were female) and planted in 69,792 hectares
According to the party in its 2020 manifesto, it has provided machinery and foundation seeds, through the Grains and Legumes Development Board, to 15 farmer groups as well as to research institutions.
It said, As a result, foundation seed production increased from 24MT in 2016 to 473.5MT in 2019 as follows:
2016 – 24.0MT
2017 – 89.61MT
2018 – 267.34MT
2019 – 473.5MT
Also, certified seed production increased from 4,400MT in 2016 to 18,500MT in 2019 for all seeds.
The party also pledged to reintroduce compensation payments under the cocoa disease control program and since 2017 under this program, compensation payments have been made to cocoa farmers in Western North, Western, Bono, Ahafo and Ashanti Regions.
Source: Mybrytfmonline/Kofi Atakora
