Ghana: Maize yield increased from 1.8 3Mt/ha in 2016 to 3.33Mt/ha, says Deputy Agric Minister

The Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture in charge of crops, Mr Yaw Frimpong Addo, has said the Planting for Food and Jobs programme (PFJ) has contributed to transforming agriculture and agribusiness. He said, for example that maize yield had increased from 1.8 Metric tons per hectare in 2016 to 3.3Mt/Ha in 2022, adding that rice production has also increased under the PFJ. He added, however, that the agriculture sector could not be transformed with obsolete tools and equipment. “We need to develop and promote innovative tools and equipment and adopt top-notch processes and technologies necessary for industrialising and transforming our agribusiness sector,” he advised. Speaking at the Ghana Social Enterprise Forum, 2023, in Accra on Thursday, the Minister underscored the place of artificial intelligence, drones, tractors and the internet in the sector, encouraging government agencies and major players in the sector to make good use of them. He said the use of such ...