Cape coast: A new agricultural initiative to transform idle and cultivable lands across the Central Region into productive farms would soon be unveiled. The move forms part of the Central Regional Coordinating Council's (CRCC) broader strategy to boost food security, reduce youth unemployment, and revive interest in agriculture among the youth.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Ekow Panyin Okyere Eduamoah, the Regional Minister, made this known when the agency's team, led by Mrs. Alice Tettey, the Regional Manager, paid a courtesy call to officially welcome him and discuss plans to project the Region for growth. He mentioned that some districts with available lands for this purpose have been identified and would be cleared for use.
The Minister stated that the government needs food and emphasized that the lands will not be permanently taken but used temporarily to feed the population. He highlighted the abundance of cultivable lands in the region that have remained underutilized, and the initiative aims to change that by cultivating staple crops like maize, rice, cassava, and vegetables.
Mr. Eduamoah explained that the program would adopt a public-private approach, supporting farmers and private investors with land access, technical expertise, seeds, and irrigation equipment to achieve the initiative's goals. The primary objectives are to create jobs, ensure food security, and assist in feeding students, the needy, and vulnerable groups in the region.
Mrs. Tettey, for her part, pledged the agency's commitment to support the RCC in ensuring sustainable growth and development. She noted the untapped potentials within the region that could enhance the living standards of the people. She commended the Minister for his foresight and expressed optimism that the initiative would position the region as a key contributor to Ghana's food supply while addressing rural poverty and unemployment.
