A new agricultural initiative to transform idle and cultivable lands across the Central Region into productive farms would soon be unveiled.
The move forms part of the Central Regional Coordinating Council’s (CRCC) broader strategy to boost food security, reduce youth unemployment and revive interest in agriculture among the youth.
Mr Ekow Panyin Okyere Eduamoah, the Regional Minister, made this known when the Ghana News Agency (GNA), led by Mrs Alice Tettey, the Regional Manager paid a courtesy call to officially welcome him and discuss plans to project the Region for growth.
He said some districts with available lands for the purpose have been identified and would be cleared and used.
The Minister said: ‘Government needs food. We’re not taking the lands but using them for just a period to feed the people.
“The Region is blessed with vast cultivable lands which, unfortunately have been underutilised or left fallow for years; we are now taking deliberate steps to change that, and the lands will be used for cultivation of staple crops like maize, rice, cassava, and vegetables” he added.
Mr Eduamoah explained that the programme would adopt a public-private approach where farmers and private investors would be supported with land access, technical expertise, seeds, and irrigation equipment to collectively achieve that goal.
The lands would not be taken from the owners, but the main objective is to create jobs, ensure food security and help assist in feeding students, the needy and vulnerable in the Region.
For her part, Mrs Tettey pledged the Agency’s commitment to support the RCC in ensuring sustainable growth and development.
She mentioned that there were many untapped potentials that could help make the Region great and strong to improve the living standards of the people.
The Regional Manager applauded the Minister for such an insight and was hopeful that the initiative would help position as a key contributor to Ghana’s food basket while tackling rural poverty and unemployment.
By Victoria Agyemang, GNA