Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s strategy for agriculture centers on achieving food security, improving productivity, and creating sustainable jobs through modernized farming. This strategy includes stabilizing food prices by providing financing through the Development Bank Ghana (DBG) and other agricultural initiatives.
By investing in food production, processing, and value addition, he aims to make agriculture more profitable, contributing to a stronger economy. This includes establishing regional agricultural enclaves as agribusiness hubs with storage and processing infrastructure, expanding irrigation, and supporting small-scale and women farmers. Modernization is emphasized through access to mechanized equipment, extension services, and support for large-scale farming, livestock, and aquaculture.
To enhance sustainability, Dr. Bawumia envisions climate financing, biofuel production from cassava and maize, and environmentally friendly practices. His approach also involves improving logistics, including inland transport systems, to boost market access. Dr. Bawumia aims for a modern, resilient agriculture sector that ensures food security, economic growth, and job creation for Ghanaians.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: How will your administration ensure food security and stabilize food prices in Ghana?
Answer: Dr. Bawumia’s administration plan to stabilize food prices by providing financing and guarantees through Development Bank Ghana (DBG). This will enable farmers to scale up food production and processing, ensuring a steady supply of food in the market. The initiative will also protect against price fluctuations caused by food shortages.
Question 2: How will creating agricultural enclaves benefit farmers and agricultural workers?
Answer: Dr. Bawumia’s administration will create agricultural enclaves in each region, which will serve as hubs for agribusiness, storage, and value addition. These enclaves will not only expand agribusiness but also create jobs, especially for youth and women in rural areas, by connecting farmers to processing plants, markets, and financial support.
Question 3: How will your administration improve agricultural financing and value addition?
Answer: Dr. Bawumia’s administration plan to accelerate agricultural financing through Development Bank Ghana (DBG) and the Ghana Incentive-Based Risk-Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (GIRSAL). This will provide farmers with affordable loans for food production, processing, and preservation. Additionally, we will establish agricultural enclaves in each region to promote storage and value addition, ensuring that farmers get better returns on their produce.
Question 4: What plans do you have for improving irrigation and mechanization for farmers?
Answer: Dr. Bawumia’s administration will launch an expanded irrigation program to rehabilitate and modernize public irrigation schemes. Mechanization will be a key component, with access to modern farming equipment and extension services to boost productivity. By doing so, we aim to support farmers in scaling up their operations and increasing their yields.
Question 5: How will your administration promote sustainable agricultural practices?
Answer: Dr. Bawumia’s administration is committed to promoting sustainable farming practices that prevent land degradation and improve soil health. This includes training farmers in techniques like crop rotation, organic farming, and the use of biofuels from local crops like cassava and maize. These efforts will ensure long-term agricultural productivity and environmental protection.
