- I would like to begin by expressing my appreciation for the opportunity to address you all today regarding the Planting for Food and Jobs Phase II (PFJ 2.0) program.
As the Minister for Food and Agriculture, I am excited to share the details of this innovative and comprehensive approach that aims to transform Ghana’s agricultural sector.
PFJ 2.0 builds upon the successes of the initial PFJ campaign, which aimed to promote agricultural development, food security, increased productivity, and job creation.
While the first phase achieved notable successes, it also faced implementation challenges that necessitated a review.
To address these challenges and harness the potential of the food and agricultural sector, we engaged in consultative meetings with key stakeholders and focused on new pathways to overcome the limitations of the initial program.
The PFJ 2.0 program takes a holistic view of the value chain approach by strengthening linkages among actors along selected agricultural commodity value chains and improving service delivery to maximize impact. A significant difference between PFJ 2.0 and the initial program is the substitution of direct input subsidy with a smart agricultural financial support system in the form of a zero-interest input credit system, where payment will be in-kind.
PFJ 2.0 is anchored on five main strategic elements:
1. Inputs Credit System: This system replaces the direct input subsidy with a zero-interest input credit system, ensuring quality fertilizer, improved seed, and support services for farmers.
2. Storage and Distribution Infrastructure: A system of warehouses and logistics will be established for the storage and distribution of produce, which includes takeover centers.
3. Off-take Arrangements or Commodity Trading: Guaranteed market access and price stabilization will be provided through improved market access and assured raw materials for processing.
4. Digitized Platform: A smart farmer, smart farm, and digitized agriculture approach will be implemented using the Ghana Agriculture and Agribusiness Platform (GhAAP).
5. Line of Sight Management and Coordination: A central digital platform will be used for real-time data capturing, monitoring, and evaluation, with the development of a user-friendly platform to track the program’s progress.
To participate in the PFJ 2.0 program, farmers or producers must meet specific requirements, including having access to land or a farm, capturing their profile at the district level, providing farm or land coordinates, being a Ghanaian citizen with a valid Ghana card, engaging in farming on prioritised commodity crops, and being a legally registered company or institution.
Farmer registration for PFJ 2.0 will be conducted across all sixteen regions and 261 districts in Ghana. To facilitate this process, a mobile and web application platform, the Ghana Agriculture and Agribusiness Platform (GhAAP), has been developed. Additionally, Agricultural Extension Agents (AEAs) and other technical officers have been trained on how to use the platform and provided with tablets for data capturing.
I would like to emphasize that the PFJ 2.0 program is a carefully thought-through initiative designed to build on the successes of the initial program while addressing its limitations.
The Ministry of Food and Agriculture is committed to ensuring the successful implementation of this transformative approach to empower our farmers, enhance productivity, and foster sustainable agricultural development in Ghana.
- In conclusion, I would like to invite all interested farmers and producers to contact their local Agricultural Extension Agents at the District Department of Agriculture to register for the PFJ 2.0 program. Together, we can work towards a more prosperous and sustainable agricultural sector in Ghana. Thank you.
