The Tano South Municipal Directorate of Agriculture is registering about 6000 farmers in the second phase of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ 2.0) Programme in the Municipality.
Some of the participants at the programme
In a short but impressive remarks the Municipal Director of Agric Mr. Paul Addai said, his outfit is embarking on a series of sensitisation in the communities, to create awareness on the PFJ 2.0 in order to enroll many farmers on the program. He emphasized on the need of the help of farmers to make PFJ 2.0 a success and how positive it will impact on both the local and national economy.
Mr. Addai said the PFJ 2.0 has improved on the success of the PFJ1 and hinted that the Planting for Food and Jobs 2.0 is focusing on commodities like pepper, tomatoes, rice, Maize, poultry, cassava, soybean, plantain and sorghum and also aims to reduce imported food and dependence by promoting domestic production of the eleven items.
Municipal Director of Agric Mr. Paul Addai welcoming participants
It is also to promote sustainable agriculture practices and ensure food sufficiency and resilience, to be able to withstand global shocks. The aim of the programme is to increase food supply, stabilize market prices as well as boost exports by supporting increased production to meet required standards.
He emphasised, Aggregators are been introduced into the second phase and they will be responsible for providing production inputs; including, chemicals, fertilizer and seeds as well as mechanization and extension services to ensure that farm produce are equivalent to the cost of inputs and other services.
The Municipal coordinator Mr. Augustine Peprah who represent the MCE Hon. Collins Offinam Takyi thanked them for the program and urge the farmers in the communities and youth in the municipality to embrace it and enjoy the benefits to improve their life.
The Municipal coordinator Mr. Augustine Peprah addressing the gathering
The Regional Livestock officer Mr. Samuel Owusu, who stood in for the Ahafo Regional Director Mr. Kingsford Nyame, charged the farmers to have a refined perception of the programme and keep faith with it and make it beneficial to themselves and the nation as a whole.
The Regional Livestock officer Mr. Samuel Owusu speaking to participants