Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, the immediate-past Minister of Food and Agriculture, has called upon the government and its development partners to ramp up their support for smallholder farmers.
Speaking at the launch of the 70th-anniversary celebration of the Faculty of Agriculture at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Dr. Akoto emphasized the pivotal role of development partners in ensuring Ghana’s food security and nutrition sustainability.
Highlighting the importance of increased investment in smallholder farmers, who contribute 90% of the country’s agricultural output, Dr. Akoto stressed that such investment would not only enhance food production but also enable surplus production for export, thereby earning foreign exchange and ensuring food sufficiency for families nationwide.
Addressing concerns over global tensions arising from conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war and the recent Israeli-Gaza conflict, Dr. Akoto underscored the necessity for Ghana to prioritize domestic food sufficiency in the face of potential disruptions to global food supply chains.
Reflecting on his tenure as Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr. Akoto cited the significant strides made in agricultural development through strategic investments in improved seeds, fertilizer distribution, and extension services.
He highlighted the government’s substantial investment in subsidy programs, which facilitated the distribution of essential agricultural inputs to over 1.7 million farmers and resulted in record annual growth in the agricultural sector.
Moreover, Dr. Akoto referenced the World Economic Forum’s recognition of the vital role of small and medium-sized agribusinesses in fostering economic opportunity, particularly in regions with young populations and commodity-dependent economies like Africa. He emphasized the potential of agri-SMEs to generate employment, reduce migration, and drive economic growth across the continent.
Despite their critical contribution to global food production, smallholder farmers remain disproportionately vulnerable to climate shocks and receive minimal support from global climate funding.
Dr. Akoto echoed the Food and Agriculture Organization’s call for increased investment in smallholder farmers, stressing its significance in realizing sustainable development goals and ensuring a resilient and prosperous future for all.
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