ECONOMY OF GHANA Dr. Michael Danquah

THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR

MEDUIM TERM NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT POLICY FRAMEWORKS

GSGDA ( ) To achieve the medium-term per capita income target, an average oil inclusive real GDP growth rate target of, at least 10.6% and a non-oil real GDP growth rate target of at least 9.6% per annum are projected. The key sector to lead the overall real GDP growth rate is Industry which is projected to grow at an average annual rate of about 13.2%, followed by the Service sector with 10% and Agriculture with 6%.

policies and strategies to be implemented Ensuring and sustaining macroeconomic stability; Enhanced competitiveness of Ghana’s private sector; Accelerated agricultural modernisation and natural resource management;

Oil and gas development; Infrastructure and human settlements development; Human development, productivity and employment; and Transparent and accountable governance

Accelerated agricultural modernisation The Agriculture Sector of Ghana comprises crops (including cocoa), livestock, fisheries and aquaculture, and forestry and logging sub-sectors. The sector is made up predominantly of subsistence smallholder production units, with weak linkages to the Industry and the Services Sectors. It employs 41.3% of the active population and is dominated by women.

broad objectives to be pursued under the MTDS  improved agricultural productivity;  accelerated Creation of Decent Jobs;  increased agricultural competitiveness and enhanced integration into domestic and international markets;

reduced production and distribution risks/ bottlenecks in agriculture and industry, including developing irrigation and improving agriculture financing; sustainable environment, land and water management; promote selected crop development for food security, export and industry;

promote the development of Agriculture Estates; promote livestock and poultry development for food security and income; promote fisheries and aquaculture development for food security and income generation; improved institutional coordination for agricultural development.

specific interventions to be implemented over the medium-term Promote Agriculture Mechanisation; Improve science, technology and innovation application; Promote seed and planting material development; Increase access to extension services and re-orientation of agriculture education;

Improve institutional coordination for agriculture development; Increase private sector investments in agriculture; Improve post-production management Develop an effective domestic market;

Expand agriculture exports; Promote the development of Agriculture Estates. This will entail the provision of essential services largely by the private sector, including land clearance and preparation, machinery service centres, certified seeds and other inputs

Invest in the development of the three selected cash crops (Cocoa, Oil Palm, Cotton) and horticultural products for export and processing, as well as food crops (rice and maize) to ensure food security. Establish marketing organizations along the lines of the Ghana Cocoa Board to support the development of the other cash crops.

Encourage and facilitate FBOs and the private sector to establish Agriculture Estates in partnership with Government to support the selected crops. Rehabilitate viable existing irrigation infrastructure, promote their efficient utilisation and promote private sector participation in irrigation development, management and utilisation.

Support the private sector to establish feed mills in the country to support the poultry and aquaculture sub-sectors. Develop appropriate agricultural financing instruments including the warehouse receipts system and agriculture insurance scheme to mitigate the key risks faced by farmers.

Implement a Fishermen’s Life Insurance Scheme (FLIS) to provide coverage for the loss of life of both marine and inland fishermen when they go on fishing expeditions.