Agric sector needs to grow by 6% every year - Minister

Busua (Western Region), 22nd June 99 ?

Mr J. H. Owusu-Acheampong, Minister of Food and Agriculture, on Monday said the agricultural sector would have to grow at about six per cent per annum over 10 years or more to support the objectives of Vision 2020.

Speaking at the 1999 mid-year review conference of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture at Busua, Mr Owusu-Acheampong said the inability of the sector to meet the target will have dire consequences in achieving the aims of Vision 2020.

In this regard, the Ministry has to re-examine the performance of its agricultural programmes and strategies and review its policies to enable the sector compete effectively in the 21st century, the Minister said.

Mr Owusu-Acheampong said there are certain major areas of concern the proper definition of long-term agricultural growth and development issues that have to be tackled properly.

Other areas are outlining actions that need to be taken in the short-term to increase food production, nutrition, and farm income levels, particularly by improving small holder productivity.

Identifying specific data needs and studies that would lead to the development of effective longer term agricultural strategies, the Minister said.

The Ministry must also find effective ways to deal with the severe liquidity crunch at a time when subsidies on inputs for the productive sectors of agriculture and others have been phased out.

He said the withdrawal of the subsidies have gradually pushed agricultural inputs beyond the reach of farmers and fishermen adding that modern ways of agricultural production, processing and marketing, must be found if the country is to move forward.