Atta Boateng interacting with the Abamba community

The Atebubu-Amantin Municipal Office of the Department of Agriculture has sensitized the communities of Akokoa, Kumfia, and Abamba on the government’s flagship ‘Feed Ghana’ Programme.

According to the Municipal Head of the Department, Mr. Bright Atta Boateng, the initiative aims to increase food production for both domestic consumption and export.

He explained that the programme, which also seeks to ensure national food security, will involve significant government investment in staple crops such as maize, rice, sorghum, soya beans, cassava, yam, and potato.

Mr. Atta Boateng added that vegetables like tomatoes, pepper, and onions will also be cultivated. Additionally, the programme will support the production of livestock, including goats, sheep, cattle, pigs, and poultry. Tree crops such as mango, cashew, coconut, oil palm, and shea nut farming will also be promoted under the initiative.

Regarding implementation, he noted that the government will provide quality planting and breeding materials, tractor services, and agricultural inputs to farmers at an agreed cost. Beneficiaries will be required to repay in kind with produce from their farms on an agreed date.
He urged participants to be honest and transparent in their dealings with the authorities to ensure the survival and sustainability of the programme, allowing others to also benefit.

Mr. Atta Boateng highlighted that the programme’s prospects, along with plans to make the municipality one of the first beneficiaries of the proposed Farmer Service Centers, present a significant opportunity for local farmers to improve their agricultural output and increase their incomes.

He therefore encouraged farmers to form groups of between 15 and 40 members, which is a key requirement for accessing support under the programme. He further clarified that existing groups with over 40 members will not be disqualified.

The Director, together with his team, addressed concerns raised by the farmers during the session.

While many farmers expressed excitement about the initiative, some also voiced concerns based on the failures of similar past interventions, where beneficiaries defaulted on repayments, causing those programmes to collapse.