An agriculture policy consultant, Emmanuel Wullingdool, has highlighted that the second phase of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) programme shows potential in addressing the very concerns that arose during its initial phase.
Mr. Wullingdool emphasised that “under the current structure of the programme, farmers can expect to receive inputs when they need them and in the appropriate quantities.”
He pointed out that unlike the first phase, where inputs fell into the wrong hands and were illicitly taken out of the country, particularly concerning subsidised fertilisers, the second phase of the program aims to rectify these challenges through effective implementation.
This insight was shared by the Agriculture Policy Consultant during a conversation with Ibrahim Aziz on A1 Radio’s News Link following the launch of the second phase of the PFJ.
The second phase of the PFJ introduces an innovative and comprehensive approach that builds upon the achievements of the initial program. This five-year master plan seeks to transform and modernise the agricultural sector in the country by establishing selected commodity value chains, with active private sector participation.
The strategy places strong emphasis on value chains by enhancing collaboration among participants across eleven distinct agricultural commodity value chains.
Key components of the second phase of the PFJ Programme that highlight the modernization and transformation of the country’s agriculture encompass an input credit system granting farmers access to essential inputs like seeds, fertilisers, and pesticides.
Additionally, the programme offers high-quality inputs and supplementary support services to enhance productivity and yields. It also includes plans for storage infrastructure and a logistic hub to optimise storage and distribution, thus reducing postharvest losses.
Furthermore, the programme incorporates commodity trading to facilitate farmer access to markets, ensuring equitable prices for their produce. A digitised platform for management, monitoring, and coordination is set to enhance the programme’s efficiency and effectiveness.
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1MHz|Gilbert Azeem Tiroog|Ghana
