Savannah Regional Minister Saeed Jibril Muhazu has indicated that the new era of progress for the Ghanaian farmer is phase II of the government’s flagship program Planting for Food and Jobs.
Addressing participants during a stakeholder sensitization durbar held in Damongo put together by the Savannah Regional Coordinating Council in collaboration with the Savannah Regional Department of Agriculture to highlight the second phase of the Planting for Food and Jobs program, Saeed Muhazu Jibril said the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJs) phase 2.0 is more than just providing financial assistance to farmers but about investing in the future of agriculture in the region and the nation diversly.
According to him, the PFJs program has been a beacon of hope, a testament to his commitment to revitalizing the agricultural sector and ensuring food security for the nation as the regional minister, Mr Muhazu threw more light on the PFJs phase 2.0 and said it is a new era of progress and prosperity for farmers and the nation as a whole adding that the PFJs represents a bold step forward in the government’s mission to empower farmers and enhance agricultural productivity and therefore, building upon the success of phase 2.0, whereas, the initiative is designed to further bolster efforts by providing inputs and access to credit facilities to interested farmers, enabling them to access the resources they need to thrive and succeed.
The minister who is himself a farmer aside from politics lamented however that access to credit facilities is often a barrier for many farmers, particularly smallholder farmers who form the backbone of the agricultural sector and by providing them with the necessary inputs upfront and allowing them to pay back after cultivation, it’s not only shunning the obstacles but also fostering a culture of entrepreneurship within the farming communities.
He used the opportunity to call on all stakeholders, government agencies, traditional authorities, agricultural organizations, financial institutions, private sector partners, and most importantly the farmers to put in collective efforts and unwavering determination so that the goal for PFJs phase 2.0 will exceed expectations.
Alhaji Seidu Sulemana, Savannah Regional director of Agriculture in his remarks said the registration of farmers for the program is ongoing and urged all farmers to take advantage of the process to register to be part of phase 2 of the program.
He added that the success of the program will depend solely on the integrity and honesty of farmers to pay back all that they will be given on credit.
He admitted however that every new program comes with challenges and his management unit will always organize similar stakeholder meetings to see to it that challenges are well addressed to the benefit of the farmers
Alhaji Seidu Sulemana, Savannah Regional director of Agriculture in his remarks said the registration of farmers for the program is ongoing and urged all farmers to take advantage of the process to register to be part of phase 2 of the program.
He added that the success of the program will depend solely on the integrity and honesty of farmers to pay back all that they will be given on credit.
He admitted however that every new program comes with challenges and his management unit will always organize similar stakeholder meetings to see to it that challenges are well addressed to the benefit of the farmers.
He emphasized that the intervention by the government is very key to high productivity and will enhance good yields thereby increasing food security in the country with ample resources to farmers which have to be repaid.
The second phase of the Planting for Food and Jobs program has been rolled out following the national launch which took place on 11th March 2024, registration exercise including farmers and their institutions is currently ongoing across the country in all regions and districts.
