Madam Marie-Claude Bibeau, Canada Minister of International Development and La Francophonie who announced this explained that the support is to make agriculture in the country more modern, equitable and sustainable.

She emphasised that agriculture was the engine for inclusive economic growth that works for everyone in the country.

Madam Marie-Claude was speaking at the launch of a project dubbed “Modernising Agriculture in Ghana” (MAG), at Nyankpala in the Tolon District of the Northern Region on Saturday.

She explained that the project seeks to adopt comprehensive market-oriented approach to farming and to strengthen and modernise agricultural extension service at the national, regional and district levels across the country.

Madam Marie-Claude stated that what Ghanaian farmers needed was better access to new knowledge about modern agriculture practices and that the project would empower them with new skills to help increase food production.

She said Canada had been assisting and collaborating with Ghana governments for over two decades to build resilience among farm households, increased incomes, and helped to ensure their nutrition needs are met.

Madam Marie-Claude emphasised that Canada would continue to support the agriculture sector to ensure sustained food security in the country.

She explained that the project would be focusing more on women and youth of the country.

Madam Marie-Claude said that funds would be made available to regional and district departments of agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

She hinted that the agriculture extension officers would be resourced adequately to effectively and efficiently deliver service to the farmers on timely basis.

Dr Nurah Gyeile, Minister of State, Ministry of Food and Agriculture said the country needed a vibrant, technologically equipped and motivated extension staff to be able to deliver critical messages needed by all agriculture actors for total transformation.

He stated that ministry was putting measures in place to resource and built capacity of the extension staff to deliver critical role to the farmers.

Dr Gyeile said government was very committed to improve crop production in the country and that planting for food and jobs was one of the ways to realise food security in the country.

Mr Solomon Bour, Deputy Northern Regional Minister, commended the Canadian government for its support and indicated that it would help reduce poverty in the region in particular and the country as a whole.

From: Yakubu Abdul-Majeed, Nyankpala.