Agribusiness ecosystem receives major boost …as govt launches Noryaa Akitso Economic Enclave Project
Ghana’s quest of enhancing the productive sectors of its agribusiness ecosystem was given a major boost when the Minister of Finance, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta yesterday launched the Noryaa Akutso Economic Enclave Project(EEP) near TsopoliAsutsuare in the Eastern region.
Launched under the Ghana CARES Obaatan pa programme, the project sought to create a viable ecosystem for private sector to engage in commercial farming.
The objective of the project is to expand the countrys productive capacity in rice, tomato, maize, soya and poultry over a minimum of 10,000-acres of land.
Led by the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA), the project is being implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Roads and Highways and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
Others include Ghana Irrigation Development Authorities, National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme, Ghana Incentive-base Risk-sharing System for Agricultural Lending, Private Agriculture value chain actors, MasterCard Foundation and the Youth.
According to Mr Ofori-Atta the project which started in August was important as it would enable the country become import independent thereby reducing its import bill which exceeded US10 billion annually.
He said“the model of several agencies collaborating is being used to develop the 50,000 acres of land in Kumawu in partnership with the National Service Secretariat(NSS).”
In addition, Mr Ofori-Atta noted that arrangement to bring the total lands cultivated to 110,000 acres by implementing similar intervention programmes in the Oti, Savanna, Central, Western North and Western regions were being pursued.
The government, he explained, was developing a Partnership Framework based on the lessons learnt from the EEP and as therefore extending its an invitation to individuals, private sector actors among others who could secure or on 1000 acres and above of the land for commercial farming.
“We will support such as land development and facilitate access to credit, including the recently approved GH¢500million from the Development Bank of Ghana,” Mr Ofori-Atta added.
On her part, the Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, Mrs Akosua Frema Osei-Opare noted that apart from improving food security and reducing importation, the project would accelerate infrastructural development and enhance market linkages in food growing areas.
She asserted that government’s strategic intervention programmes such as Planting for Food and Jobs, One District, One Factory and Common Exchange coupled with the Post-COVID-19 Programme for Economic Growth would help address key structural economic issues and position the country’s development on a resilient and transformative part.
Mrs Osei-Opare said government will remain an active facilitator in land development and market connection under the EEP.
The Minister for Defence, Mr Dominic Nitiwul in his remarks acknowledged the role of 48 Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Armed Force in the EEP and therefore, pledged its support as it was equipped with newly acquired equipment to protect the commercial farms and deliver on its core mandate.
The Minister for Food and Agriculture who was represented by the Chief Director, Mr Patrick Robert Ankobiah explained that his outfit would offer the needed technical support to ensure that the objectives of the EEP was achieved.
The Minister of Finance together with the other dignitaries and traditional leaders from the community toured the site to inspect the project.
BY BEJAMIN ARCTON-TETTEY
