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The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Hon. Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, says the 2018 farmer registration target under the Planting for Food and Jobs programme is likely to be exceeded.

According to him, figures available from six regions he has visited so far indicate that the programme has been oversubscribed by farmers.

Hon. Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto observed that so far registration figures from the three northern regions as well as Brong Ahafo Ashanti and the Eastern Regions have almost reached the 500,000 target, with four other regions yet to come.

"So far we have hit 480,000 farmers. This is for the six regions I have visited and we are yet to receive figures from Western, Central, Volta and Greater Regions," Hon. Dr. Afriyie Akoto told the media during recent working visits to three regions including Brong Ahafo Ashanti and the Eastern Regions.

According to him, almost all the regions have quadrupled increases in the numbers of farmers participating in the programme, an indication that the education and the campaign have gone down well with the people. 

The Minister, who was brimming with confidence about the impact of the PFJ programme, said Volta Region is likely to record the highest percentage increase, compared to the 2017 season.

According to him, he was very excited about the positive testimonies many farmers across the country were given about the impact of the PFJ programme in their lives, adding "this indicates that the major objectives of the programme were being achieved"

Hon. Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto further hinted about some review of the programme next year, stressing that it is all meant to ensure effective and efficient means of implementation