By D. I. Laary
Accra, April 03, GNA – Dr. Amos Rutherford Azinu, Seed Business Executive at Legacy Crop Improvement Centre, has proposed a 13-point reset to transform Ghana’s agriculture, tackling food security challenges through policy reform, irrigation, financial solutions, and modernized farming practices.
Speaking at the Fourth Edition of the FESF Foundation Food Security Lecture, held at the Nursing and Midwifery Council in Accra, Dr. Azinu highlighted that despite numerous agricultural policies, Ghana continued to grapple with food security challenges, evidenced by an annual food import bill of $2.4 billion.
He proposed a 13-point reset for Ghana’s agriculture, starting with a mindset revolution to reposition the sector as a dignified, technology-driven business opportunity rather than a profession of last resort.
He emphasized the need for effective policy implementation, moving beyond well-crafted but poorly executed agricultural policies.
Dr. Azinu advocated for scaling operations, providing pathways for smallholder farmers—who produce 80 per cent of Ghana’s food—to achieve economies of scale.
He urged the expansion of the animal and fish industries, reducing reliance on imported meat and poultry.
Among his recommendations, he stressed the need for irrigation infrastructure, as only two per cent of Ghana’s cultivated land is currently irrigated.
He also called for improvements to road networks to connect farms to markets, reducing post-harvest losses, and proposed reliable procurement systems to guarantee markets for farmers.
Addressing Ghana’s complex land tenure system, he underscored the importance of land tenure reform, which would encourage long-term agricultural investments.
He called for a robust financial architecture, with tailored financial products beyond conventional banking systems that often come with prohibitive interest rates.
Further, Dr. Azinu emphasized managerial capacity building, equipping farmers with business skills, and ensuring skilled labour development to enhance modern agricultural practices.
He also recommended the introduction of floor price mechanisms to protect farmers from price volatility.
Significantly, he highlighted the urgent need to develop the seed sector, citing that only 11 per cent of Ghanaian farmers use improved seeds, while local production meets less than 20 per cent of national requirements.
Dr. Azinu noted that Ghana has the natural endowments to achieve food security and serve as a food basket for West Africa but stressed that this required decisive action from all stakeholders beyond policy discussions.
Among the dignitaries at the event were Dr. Peter Boamah Otokunor, Director of Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness at the Presidency, who served as Chairman, and Mr. John Dumelo, Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon, was the special guest.
The event was hosted by Prof. Richard Bani, the President of FEST Foundation.
The FESF Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing food security in Ghana, hosted the lecture as part of its ongoing commitment to education, training, policy advocacy, and stakeholder engagement.
It is aimed at increasing food production, reducing post-harvest losses, and improving household incomes.
This fourth edition lecture series reaffirmed the Foundation’s mission to drive meaningful dialogue and implement practical solutions in Ghana’s agricultural sector.
GNA
DL/BM