Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has announced that major government-backed irrigation projects are nearing completion, marking a significant milestone in the administration’s push to modernize agriculture and ensure national food security.
Presenting the 2026 Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review in Parliament last Thursday, Dr. Forson revealed that construction at Atonsu, Ekyeamanfrom, and Konadu under the Afram Plains Economic Enclaves Irrigation Project is currently between 80 and 92 percent complete. Once finalized, these projects will unlock 3,330 hectares of irrigable land for farming.
The Minister further noted that the Tamne Irrigation Project Phase III is at 75 percent completion, while rehabilitation works at the Vea, Ashaiman, Aveyime, and Dawhenya irrigation schemes have also recorded substantial progress.
To stabilize food supply, the National Food Buffer Stock Company purchased over 20,000 metric tonnes of grains in the first half of 2026. The government aims to increase these reserves to 32,000 metric tonnes by the end of the year.
Driving this agricultural push is the Feed Ghana Programme, which Dr. Forson said remains a top priority for the government due to its focus on higher productivity, import substitution, and job creation through crop, livestock, and mechanization investments.
Under this initiative, the government has procured 300 metric tonnes each of maize and Agyapa rice seeds—developed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research—for farmer distribution. Additionally, 24,000 out of 96,000 litres of procured organic fertiliser have been distributed, alongside 18,684 metric tonnes of inorganic fertiliser.
To strengthen agricultural service delivery, 500 District Feed Ghana Brigade Officers have been temporarily engaged to assist with farmer registration, extension services, and field monitoring. These officers will be supported by 500 newly procured motorbikes. Furthermore, 500 senior high schools have enrolled in the National School Farm Initiative, receiving seeds, agrochemicals, and technical support to equip students with practical farming skills.
Significant strides have also been made in domestic poultry production. Under the Poultry Farm-to-Table Project, 70 anchor farmers have been selected, and about two million day-old chicks have been brooded and distributed across 10 regions. To further reduce poultry imports, procurement is underway for an additional four million day-old chicks and 500,000 Kuroiler birds. The government has also secured 47.35 million doses of veterinary vaccines, with 7.14 million doses produced locally.
In the aquaculture sector, the first phase of the Women and Youth in Aquaculture Programme is being implemented across 80 districts. The initiative is currently benefiting 4,000 individuals organized into 80 cooperative groups, providing them with training in production, financial management, and business planning, supported by private sector partnerships.
“These investments are strengthening agricultural production, creating jobs, and reducing the country’s dependence on food imports,” Dr. Forson told Parliament. “We remain committed to supporting farmers and agribusinesses to expand production and improve incomes.”
