The government plans to deploy 5,000 graduates from various agricultural and veterinary schools nationwide to assist farmers in enhancing productivity and implementing modern farming techniques. Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, noted that this initiative is part of the government’s Feed Ghana program, aimed at modernising agriculture and closing the gap between research and practical farming. In an interview with Citi Business News, the Minister said, “We are sending out our extension officers, and as we mentioned last Saturday, we are incorporating 5,000 graduates from agricultural and veterinary colleges—many of whom have been unemployed since 2015. We want to ensure they all join the Feed Ghana initiative.”
Speaking to Citi Business News, the Minister stated, “We are deploying our extension officers, and as we mentioned last Saturday, we are bringing on board 5,000 graduates from agricultural and veterinary colleges—many of whom have been home since 2015 without employment. We want all of them to be part of the Feed Ghana initiative.”
He explained that the graduates will be posted to farms across the country to help farmers implement improved and research-based agricultural practices. “We want to close the gap between agricultural research and the actual practices on farms. These graduates will play a critical role in introducing modern farming techniques to local farmers,” he added.
In addition, the Minister revealed that Ghana has received 300 tonnes of rice seeds from the Korean government, which will be distributed to farmers to boost local rice production.
“We are distributing high-quality rice and maize seeds that have been approved as best suited for our soil. The donation of 300 tonnes of rice seeds comes from KOPIA—a Korean agricultural research agency based in Ghana. Distribution has started in the southern sector, where the farming season is currently underway. We’re also preparing to supply the northern regions when the season begins in May,” he said.
