The Government is positioning agriculture as the anchor of Ghana’s economy under the Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minister of Finance, said on Thursday.
Presenting the 2026 Budget Statement and Economic Policy to Parliament, Dr Forson said the agenda sought to secure food, tame food inflation, cut the import bill, and grow exports through enhanced productivity and value addition.
Aligned with the 24-Hour Economy, he said government launched the Feed Ghana Programme in April 2025 to scale crop, tree crop, livestock, poultry production and agricultural infrastructure.
“So far, 2,000 metric tonnes (mt) of hybrid maize seed, 1,000 mt of rice seed, and 50,000 mt of fertiliser have been distributed nationwide,” he said.
“In 2026, we will supply 4,388 mt of maize seed, 31,000 mt of rice seed, 240 mt of sorghum seed, 2,791 mt of soybean seed, and 272,000 mt of fertilisers to consolidate yields.”
Dr Forson said the YƐREDUA Vegetable Development Project being implemented with the NDPC and the Government of Korea was also delivering impact, with a US$9.5 million value-chain initiative in Winneba and Adaklu boosting local tomato, onion and pepper production.
“With over 133 mt of tomato seed already distributed, and additional SADEP seed support, domestic supply has improved, easing seasonal price spikes that fuelled food inflation,” he said.
In 2026, government plans to scale input support further, including 58,500 sachets of tomato seed, 35,100 sachets of pepper seed, 351,000 sachets of onion seed, 164,932.56 mt of fertiliser and 39,384 litres of agrochemicals.
These comprise 9,375 mt of Potassium Nitrate, 6,250 mt of Calcium Nitrate, 6,000 mt of compost, 200 mt of Aminomix/Tecamin Max, and 200 mt of Neem Oil.
To support all-year vegetable farming, Dr Forson said the government would install 200 solar-powered boreholes in the Ahafo, Eastern, Upper West and Bono East regions, including 44 Senior High Schools.
He said the medium-term benefits would include lower imports, stronger external balances, and reduced pressure on foreign exchange arising from food purchases.
The finance minister added that diversification efforts were progressing, with the Tree Crops Programme supporting 175,000 farmers with 800,000 mango seedlings, 1,000,000 oil palm seedlings, and 750,000 grafted shea seedlings.
Also is the establishment of 10 cashew scion gardens in the Upper West, Savannah and North East Regions, broadening non-traditional export potential.
By Joyce Danso, GNA