The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Ghana’s agricultural extension system through the proposed Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services Bill, a legislative framework aimed at modernizing extension service delivery and to support the successful implementation of the Feed Ghana Programme.
At a stakeholder engagement on the Bill held on the 25th of June, 2026 at the Peduase Valley Resort, the Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. John Setor Dumelo, highlighted the vital role extension plays in Ghana’s economy.
He observed that despite its importance, the sector continues to face challenges including low productivity, limited adoption of improved technologies, inadequate access to information, weak farmer support systems, poor market linkages, and increasing climate-related risks. According to him, addressing these challenges requires a strong, modern, and responsive agricultural extension system capable of providing farmers with the knowledge, technologies, and market information needed to improve productivity and incomes.
Hon. Dumelo explained that the proposed Bill seeks to establish a clear legal and regulatory framework for the delivery of agricultural extension and advisory services across the country.
“A key component of the legislation is the establishment of a National Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services Council to regulate extension professionals, set standards, prescribe codes of ethics, and ensure proper training, accreditation, and certification of practitioners” he stated.
The Bill also proposes the creation of a Regulatory Unit within the Directorate of Agricultural Extension Services to oversee the registration, accreditation, monitoring, and evaluation of institutions and organizations providing extension and advisory services. This, he noted, will help ensure that service providers operate in line with national standards and contribute effectively to agricultural transformation.
According to the Minister, extension officers play a critical role in agricultural development, serving not only as providers of information but also as technical advisors, trainers, facilitators, innovators, and trusted partners to farmers. He stressed the need to equip them with the necessary skills and professional support to deliver quality services.
He further noted that the legislation goes beyond increasing the number of extension officers and seeks to transform the entire agricultural support system to better serve farmers and strengthen the agricultural sector.
Hon. Dumelo commended the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) for its technical and financial support in the development of the Bill and called on stakeholders to provide practical and constructive recommendations to strengthen the proposed legislation.
He expressed confidence that the Bill, once passed and implemented, will modernize agricultural service delivery, empower farmers, strengthen institutions, and contribute significantly to building a more productive, resilient, and competitive agricultural sector in Ghana.
