Tano South Department of Agric Emback on Planting for Food and Jobs awareness

The Tano South Municipal Directorate of Agriculture is currently in the process of registering approximately 6000 farmers for the second phase of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ 2.0) Programme in the Municipality.

In succinct yet impactful remarks, Mr. Paul Addai, the Municipal Director of Agriculture, highlighted that his department is conducting community sensitization campaigns to raise awareness about PFJ 2.0 and enroll more farmers in the program. He emphasized the crucial role of farmers in ensuring the success of PFJ 2.0 and its positive impact on both local and national economies.

Mr. Addai noted that PFJ 2.0 builds upon the achievements of its predecessor, PFJ1, with a focus on key commodities such as pepper, tomatoes, rice, maize, poultry, cassava, soybean, plantain, and sorghum. The program aims to reduce food imports and dependency by promoting domestic production of these eleven items, while also fostering sustainable agricultural practices to enhance food sufficiency and resilience against global shocks.

Furthermore, the introduction of aggregators in the second phase will ensure that farmers receive necessary production inputs such as chemicals, fertilizers, and seeds, as well as mechanization and extension services. This comprehensive support aims to ensure that farm produce matches the value of inputs and services provided.

Mr. Augustine Peprah, the Municipal Coordinator representing the MCE Hon. Collins Offinam Takyi, expressed gratitude for the program and urged farmers and youth in the municipality to embrace it to improve their livelihoods.

Mr. Samuel Owusu, the Regional Livestock Officer, standing in for the Ahafo Regional Director Mr. Kingsford Nyame, urged farmers to have confidence in the program and to perceive it positively. He encouraged them to leverage PFJ 2.0 for their benefit and for the advancement of the nation as a whole.