The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has reiterated the government’s commitment to building a resilient agricultural sector, emphasising a shift from merely increasing production to protecting what farmers harvest.

Speaking at the launch and handover of locally fabricated post-harvest machinery, the Minister said the initiative reflects Ghana’s deliberate focus on innovation, value addition, and sustainability in agriculture.

He noted that despite significant investment in boosting production, the country continues to lose substantial quantities of crops due to inadequate post-harvest handling.

“Inadequate storage and processing services have cost farmers income, wasted effort, and weakened our food systems. This programme is about ensuring that what we grow is not lost, but leveraged to strengthen rural economies and improve livelihoods,” Mr Opoku stated.

The project has engaged 2,231 youth artisans to fabricate around 300 maize and soybean threshers, aiming not only to provide equipment but also to build a skilled workforce capable of sustaining the sector beyond the programme.

More than 3,000 farming families are expected to benefit through reduced losses, improved quality of produce, and higher incomes.

The Minister stressed that sustainability is central to the initiative, incorporating user training, technical support, and the deployment of agricultural and engineering graduates to ensure safe and reliable operations.

He added that empowering women farmers and equipping young people with practical skills are key to transforming Ghana’s agriculture into a more efficient and value-driven sector.

The Country Director of the World Food Programme (WFP) praised the programme as a practical, homegrown solution to post-harvest losses, highlighting its alignment with Ghana’s Feed Ghana initiative and mechanisation agenda.

She noted that reducing losses in maize and soybean production would boost farmer incomes, improve nutrition outcomes, and stabilise food prices nationally.