President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the Upper West Region is among the areas selected to benefit from the government’s Farmer Service Centre initiative aimed at improving agricultural productivity.

According to the President, the initiative will provide farmers with access to mechanisation services, storage facilities, irrigation support and climate-smart agricultural technologies.

Addressing chiefs during a courtesy call by the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs, President Mahama said the government has identified 50 locations across the country for the establishment of Farmer Service Centres.

He added that 11 of the centres are expected to commence operations this year as part of efforts to support farmers and improve agricultural productivity.

“One of the 11 farmer service centres that we are budgeting for this year is located in the Upper West Region,” he said.

He explained that the move forms part of government’s broader strategy to modernise agriculture and create opportunities for farmers to increase production and income.

President said farmers involved in rice production in Wa, livestock farming in Tumu, maize production in Nadowli and vegetable farming in other parts of the region will benefit from the intervention.

“We want our hardworking farmers to become active participants in Ghana’s economic transformation,” he added.

President Mahama said government’s long-term goal is to move beyond exporting raw agricultural products by promoting local processing and value addition.