The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) has officially launched the 42nd National Farmers’ Day celebration, unveiling a nationwide programme aimed at recognising the contributions of farmers, fishers, agricultural workers, researchers, agribusinesses and other actors driving Ghana’s food systems.
The celebration, which will be held in December under the theme “Our Farmers, Our Food, Our Future,” will be hosted in Sunyani in the Bono Region, with the main awards ceremony scheduled for Friday, December 4, 2026.
Launching the event, Minister for Food and Agriculture Eric Opoku described the theme as a reflection of government’s commitment to strengthening local food production and building a resilient agricultural sector.
According to him, supporting farmers is essential to safeguarding Ghana’s food security and long-term economic development.
The Minister said the celebration would extend beyond the awards ceremony, with activities beginning on November 30 through a National Agricultural Fair that will bring together farmers, agribusinesses, research institutions, financial institutions and development partners to showcase innovations, technologies and investment opportunities.
He announced that the programme will also feature a National Farmers Forum, research and innovation exhibitions, regional showcase events and the Fifth International Agricultural Fair in partnership with AgriHouse Foundation.
Mr. Opoku noted that this year’s awards will recognise excellence across 32 national categories, including crop production, livestock, fisheries, agricultural research, extension services, youth and women in agriculture, as well as persons with disabilities engaged in farming.
He called on corporate organisations, development partners, financial institutions and the media to support the successful organisation of the national celebration.
Representing the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Chief Director Dr. Zachary Manu stressed the need for stronger collaboration among government, farmers, fishers, researchers, private sector actors and development partners to ensure sustainable growth in agriculture and fisheries.
He said innovation, responsible resource management and inclusive partnerships would be critical to securing the future of Ghana’s food systems, adding that the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture would work closely with MoFA to ensure the fisheries and aquaculture sector is fully represented during the celebrations.
Bono Regional Minister Joseph Addae Akwaboa described the hosting of the event as a historic milestone for the region, noting that it is the first time Bono has been selected to host the National Farmers’ Day celebration since becoming a region.
He said the event presents an opportunity to showcase the region’s agricultural potential, cultural heritage and hospitality while highlighting its significant contribution to Ghana’s production of maize, yam, cashew, poultry and other commodities.
The Regional Minister assured government that the region would work with traditional authorities, local assemblies, farmers’ groups and other stakeholders to ensure a successful national celebration.
National Farmers’ Day remains one of Ghana’s flagship agricultural events, celebrating the dedication and resilience of farmers and fishers while promoting innovation, investment and sustainable agricultural development.
A 28-member delegation from the Indiana Agricultural Leadership Program (ALP), USA, has paid a courtesy call on the Ministry of Food and Agriculture as part of a specialized agricultural study and leadership mission to Ghana. The visit aims to deepen bilateral cooperation and promote knowledge exchange between Ghana and the United States in the areas of agricultural innovation, leadership development, and agribusiness growth.
Welcoming the delegation, Chief Director Mr. Paul Siameh expressed appreciation for the visit and underscored Government’s commitment to accelerating agricultural transformation through the Feed Ghana Programme. He explained that the Programme represents a strategic shift from subsistence-oriented production to a modern, technology-driven and market-led agricultural economy. The initiative also promotes private sector participation and agribusiness investment, positioning agriculture not merely as a livelihood activity, but as a viable and profitable enterprise capable of driving national development.
Engaging the delegation on behalf of the Minister, Technical Advisor, Hon. Kwasi Etu Bonde noted that agriculture contributes approximately 21 percent to Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), underscoring its critical role in the country’s economic architecture. He emphasized Government’s resolve to leverage the sector as a catalyst for economic transformation by ensuring food sufficiency, creating decent jobs for the youth, and strengthening rural economies.
He further disclosed that a key pillar supporting the Feed Ghana Programme is the establishment of Farmer Service Centres (FSCs) across the country. The FSCs are designed as one-stop hubs providing farmers with access to essential services, including affordable credit facilities, input supply, mechanization support, extension services, agronomic advisory services and market information. By consolidating these services under one roof, the Centres aim to reduce production bottlenecks, improve efficiency, and enhance farmers’ productivity and incomes.
Hon. Bonde also disclosed that, plans are underway to expand the number of FSCs to 275 nationwide to ensure equitable access, particularly for smallholder farmers in underserved communities. The expansion is expected to significantly strengthen the agricultural value chain and improve overall sector performance.
Members of the delegation shared insights from their respective areas of expertise, spanning agribusiness, production agriculture, finance, education, and extension services. Discussions centered on innovation, leadership development, financing, technology transfer, and opportunities for partnership to advance sustainable agricultural growth.
The Indiana ALP is a well-established leadership development initiative for professionals in agriculture and allied industries. The delegation is being hosted by Voazok Limited, a Ghana-based agribusiness company focused on strengthening agricultural leadership, promoting sustainable growth, and advancing food security through innovation and strategic investment in Ghana’s agricultural sector.
The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has distributed 40,000 bags of inorganic fertilisers, five agricultural drones, and nearly 8,000 cartons of organic fertilisers to farmers across the country as part of efforts to strengthen food production and reduce dependence on imports.
The distribution took place at a ceremony held at the Ministry’s forecourt in Accra on Tuesday under the Feed Ghana Programme, a government initiative aimed at improving agricultural productivity and ensuring food security.
Speaking at the event, the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku, said the intervention goes beyond the supply of inputs and reflects a broader national commitment to agriculture.
“We are not merely distributing agricultural inputs,” he said. “We are affirming that the Ghanaian farmer is central to national development, and that transformation begins from the soil.”
The 40,000 bags of fertiliser were handed over to the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana for onward distribution to member farmers, particularly those who may not benefit from district-level allocations. The Minister added that additional supplies will be distributed nationwide through district agricultural offices in the coming days, alongside support for registered institutions under the programme.
Five agricultural drones were also presented to the association to support modern farming practices. The equipment is expected to help farmers monitor crop health, detect pests and diseases early, and improve farm management decisions.
Mr. Opoku noted that agriculture is evolving beyond traditional methods, stressing the role of technology in the sector.
“The future of agriculture will not be built only with the hoe and cutlass,” he said. “It will also depend on data, drones, improved seeds, fertilisers, irrigation, mechanisation, and precision farming.”
He added that modernising agriculture is also key to attracting young people into the sector by making farming more efficient and commercially viable.
The Ministry also distributed 7,936 cartons of organic fertilisers to selected cooperatives and irrigation schemes, including groups in Abokobi, Adenta, Michel Camp, and the ICOUR Tono Irrigation Scheme. The remaining 6,500 cartons will be allocated to farmers in southern Ghana ahead of the upcoming minor farming season.
He further explained that the Feed Ghana Programme is designed to address several national priorities, including food price stability, import reduction, job creation, and industrial development.
“Increased production will not come from speeches alone,” he said. “It depends on timely access to inputs and strong coordination across irrigation, mechanisation, extension services, finance, markets, and agro-processing.”
The programme forms part of government’s broader efforts to modernise agriculture and build a more resilient and self-sufficient food system.
The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Honourable Eric Opoku, has reiterated Government’s commitment to supporting agro-processing businesses to help create jobs, add value to farm produce and provide ready markets for farmers.
The Minister made the commitment when he paid a working visit to P&A African Food International Limited in Accra on Friday 19th June, 2026 he reaffirmed that Ghana’s agriculture sector must move beyond production and focus more on processing and value addition.
He noted that although crop production, such as maize, has increased, farmers are still struggling to find stable markets.
“Our farmers have produced so much, but consumption alone cannot absorb everything. We need more companies to process agricultural products and create markets,” Hon. Opoku said.
The Minister praised P&A African Food for investing in agro-processing, stating that such initiatives help reduce post-harvest losses, create jobs, and increase farmers’ incomes.
According to Hon. Eric Opoku, value addition remains central to Government’s agricultural transformation agenda and the 24-Hour Economy policy.
He stressed that the future of agriculture lies not only in farming but also in processing, packaging, storage, transportation, and marketing, which create more employment opportunities for the youth.
The Minister also raised concerns about poultry farmers, especially egg producers, who are facing weak market demand, noting that agro-processing investments could help address the challenge.
He assured the company of Government’s support, adding that the Ministry is working with partners to provide funding opportunities for agro-processing expansion.
Hon. Opoku further encouraged strong partnerships between processors and farmers through guaranteed off-take agreements, which would boost production and market stability and urged Ghanaians to buy locally made products.
“When we buy locally made products, we support our farmers and our economy,” he said.
He also called on the media to help promote Ghanaian-made products and raise public awareness about the importance of supporting local industries.
The Managing Director of P&A African Food International Limited, Mr. Richard Mainoo, appealed for Government’s support to expand operations, including processing equipment, warehouses, working capital, and transport logistics to increase production and exports
A Civil society organisation with interest in social justice, SEND GHANA, and its partners have appealed to the government to expedite the distribution of agricultural inputs to farmers under its government’s flagship Feed Ghana Programme, as the planting season begins across the country.
The organisation said delays in the release of seeds, fertilisers and other essential farm inputs could negatively affect this year’s farming season and undermine efforts to improve food security.
In a statement issued in Accra yesterday, SEND Ghana said its interactions with farmers in the Northern, Oti, Volta and Bono East regions indicated that many farmers were yet to receive farming inputs despite the onset of the rains.
Quicken farm inputs distribution under Feed Ghana initiative – SEND Ghana to govt
Juliet Akyaa Safo4 minutes read
A Civil society organisation with interest in social justice, SEND GHANA, and its partners have appealed to the government to expedite the distribution of agricultural inputs to farmers under its government’s flagship Feed Ghana Programme, as the planting season begins across the country.
The organisation said delays in the release of seeds, fertilisers and other essential farm inputs could negatively affect this year’s farming season and undermine efforts to improve food security.
In a statement issued in Accra yesterday, SEND Ghana said its interactions with farmers in the Northern, Oti, Volta and Bono East regions indicated that many farmers were yet to receive farming inputs despite the onset of the rains.
It added that checks conducted with Department of Agriculture also revealed that most metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs) had not received the inputs for onward distribution to farmers.
Executive Branch
Feed Ghana Programme
The initiative was launched by President John Dramani Mahama in April last year to boost local food production, create jobs and reduce the country’s reliance on imported food.
Popularly referred to as ‘Yeridua’, to wit, “we are planting”, the programme is centred on practical farming approaches that involve households, schools, communities and institutions.
It also involves sub-projects on vegetables, grains, poultry, oil palm, tubers and other import substitutes to reduce the country’s reliance on imports, return to a culture of self-reliance and build a stronger food system that works for everyone, from farmers in rural areas to families living in cities.
