POSITIVE DEAL FOR FARMERS (AUGUST 19, 2010)

FOR all these years, agriculture has been the mainstay of the Ghanaian economy, with more than 50 per cent of Ghanaians believed to be engaged in it.
Although many farmers engage in agriculture at the level of subsistence farming, the contribution of agriculture to the growth of the Ghanaian economy has been phenomenal.
For instance, cocoa is rated as a major foreign exchange earner for the country and the country’s cocoa beans are reputed to be of a very high quality.
For many years, Ghana was the leading producer of cocoa in the world and although we have now slumped to second, our cocoa beans continue to be one of the most preferred in the world.
Yet, some experts believe that the country can maximise gains from agriculture and in that regard, reference has been made to the need to institute measures to improve mechanisation of agriculture and also increase production levels through the appropriate application of pesticides and fertilisers.
Such calls have become even more relevant against the background of the discovery of oil in commercial quantities in the country and the scheduled production of crude oil later in the year.
Development experts and also experts in the oil industry have cautioned the country to be wary of the ‘Dutch Disease’, which apparently refers to the temptation to neglect other sectors of the economy such as agriculture once oil is discovered.
Thus, the setting aside of GH¢15 million by the government to support housing and social security schemes for cocoa farmers is a very positive move.
The package, according to the Minister of Agriculture, Mr Kwesi Ahwoi, is aimed at boosting agricultural production and also making the sector attractive to the youth.
The DAILY GRAPHIC strongly believes that for a country with a chunk of its population involved in agriculture, efforts aimed at self-sufficiency in food production must be vigorously pursued.
We are sure that with the right interventions, the country can increase production levels to not only help the country attain self-sufficiency in food production but also export to other countries.
It is worthy to note that after introducing some measures, the country has been able to increase rice production, notwithstanding the fact that there is still a lot to be done to reduce rice imports into the country.
Given the rich resources that the country boasts of by way of good agricultural land, we have no excuse to remain largely a subsistence agricultural country.
Also, the excuse that lack of water or rainfall all-year round is a challenge to raising the levels of agricultural production in the country must not be entertained.
Many countries faced with the same challenge have effectively resorted to irrigation farming with tremendous success and that is one area the country must continue to pursue in an innovative manner as there is still room to maximise the gains from irrigation farming.
The DAILY GRAPHIC also urges the government to institute measures to promote non-traditional exports to broaden the country’s agricultural export base.
Crops such as pineapple, mango, banana and pawpaw all have the potential to generate good revenue for farmers who venture into such plantations.
It is also worthy to note that the government has expressed a commitment to motivate more young people to venture into agriculture.
This is also crucial, not only because of the potential benefit of increased food production but also as it would help reduce the rate of unemployment and provide the youth a very laudable avenue to contribute to national development.