Gov't to establish agricultural mechanism centres

Government under its agricultural mechanisation programme would establish a mechanisation centre in each at the 170 metropolis, municipalities and districts. In addition, 500 boreholes for irrigation would be constructed in all the 10 regions while on-going irrigation projects would be completed. Nii Armah Ashietey, Greater Accra Regional Minister, who announced these, said government would also establish agricultural development and investment fund and a strategic buffer-stock management scheme to stabilise prices of food. He was addressing participants at the first Greater Accra Regional Agricultural Forum at Dodowa on Tuesday. It was organised by the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council for stakeholders in agriculture to brainstorm and come out with solutions to promote agriculture production in the region. Nii Ashietey said government would ensure that the required research work and technology were provided to address the needs of farmers to undertake commercial agriculture. He noted that the agriculture potential of the region was enormous coupled with its location, socio-economic status, population, markets and proximity to agro-processing facilities. Nii Ashietey expressed appreciation for the region's uniqueness in agricultural production such as livestock, poultry and fisheries. However, he noted that poor road network, access to credit, lack of insurance for farmers, capacity building, lack of coordination among various institutions and stakeholders, land issues and lack of knowledge on domestic and international markets were some of the problems affecting farmers in the region. Mrs. Margaret Kyei-Manu, the Regional Director of Agriculture, commended the GARCC for the initiative. She urged the stakeholders to assist in increase agricultural production in the region and the country. The agriculture sector employs about 60 per cent of the country's population.