Ghana is gearing up for a major shift in its food production system as Government rolls out a wide slate of agricultural reforms aimed at tackling food inflation, reducing imports, and boosting exports. The new measures fall under the Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda, which positions farming as the backbone of the economy.
Speaking in Parliament, the Finance Minister highlighted strong progress under the Feed Ghana Programme, launched in April 2025. The initiative has already delivered 2,000 metric tonnes of hybrid maize seed, 1,000 metric tonnes of rice seed, and 50,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser to farmers nationwide. Government plans to scale these supplies further in 2026, including over 4,000 metric tonnes of maize seed and more than 272,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser.
Vegetable production is also receiving a lift through the US$9.5 million YƐREDUA Vegetable Development Project in Winneba and Adaklu, supported by Korea. More than 133 metric tonnes of tomato seed have been distributed, helping ease seasonal price hikes that often push up food inflation. Next year, farmers will receive over 58,000 sachets of tomato seed, 35,000 of pepper, and 351,000 of onion.
To ensure all-year vegetable production, Government will install 200 solar-powered boreholes across Ahafo, Eastern, Upper West, and Bono East, including in 44 Senior High Schools. Officials say this will help reduce import dependence and ease foreign exchange pressure.
Tree crop development is gaining momentum too, with 175,000 farmers receiving mango, oil palm, and grafted shea seedlings. Ten new cashew scion gardens have also been established to support Ghana’s non-traditional exports.
Government is taking steps to protect yields as climate-related pests increase. More than 325,000 Telenomus remus insects have been released to control fall armyworms, while new biological controls for tomato leaf miner have been piloted.
Livestock and poultry production are also part of the plan. Two new poultry and meat-processing facilities are under construction, and key livestock stations are being rehabilitated. More than 17 million vaccinations had been administered by August, with local vaccine production crossing 2.7 million doses.
Mechanisation is another priority. Over 120 farmers and mechanisation centres have received compact tractors, harvesters, seed drills, rice mills, and other machinery. Government is also equipping Farm Service Centres to act as one-stop hubs for modern farm equipment.
Storage remains a critical gap, and 11 new warehouses of 1,000-metric-tonne capacity each will be completed and connected to power. Fifty additional warehouses will receive steel sheds and 750,000 pallets to minimise post-harvest losses.
Irrigation development is one of the largest focuses heading into 2026. More than 3,500 hectares are being developed or rehabilitated across Weta, Ashaiman, Okyereko, Aveyime, Bontanga, Anum Valley, and Dawhenya. Work is also advancing in the Afram Plains Economic Enclave, where sprinkler and pivot systems are being installed across 3,220 hectares. Major rehabilitation efforts are underway at Tamne and Vea as well.
The Centre Pivot Irrigation Project, targeting 4,450 hectares, has completed community entry and surveys, with sites in Lonto, Sheri, Kafaba, and Awate ready for Phase I. Nineteen small earth dams and seven irrigable sites are also under construction in the northern regions.
Officials say completing these irrigation and mechanisation projects in 2026 will help secure year-round food production, ease pressure on prices, reduce imports, and support the cedi by lowering the cost of food-related foreign exchange.
Story by Doe Benjamin Kofi Lawson