The Australian government has pledged 1.4 million Australian dollars to support an ongoing project to build the capacity of Agricultural Extension Officers over a two-year period.
Through the aid programme, Australia is partnering with Ghana to provide a range of opportunities and targetted assistance with a focus on building capacity in agriculture, mining, governance, and public policy.
It forms part of efforts by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to improve agriculture in the country from the subsistence level to more of a business venture (agri-business).
Receiving Ms Joanna Hewitt — the special envoy of the Australian Prime Minister — at the Ministry, the Minister of Food and Agriculture Mr. Kwesi Ahwoi noted that the Ministry has not been too successful in organising farmer-based organisations (FBOs) because the Agriculture Extension Officer staff-strength is inadequate to cater for the numerous farmers in the country — which is about 60 percent of the population.
He cited the staff-strength ratio of extension officers to farmers as 1:2,500 — hence the farmers are organised into groups known as farmer-based organizations, FBOs, to empower them in production and marketing.
Mr. Ahwoi said that FBOs are to be registered and put on the Internet but their capacity needs to be improved, even though extension officers currently lack the capacity to effectively organise the FBOs. He noted that the country is still not self-sufficient in food production.
The minister said his ministry’s greatest challenge is funding research in the sector to address the problem of improving yields and enhancing production of farmers.
Madam Hewitt, who spent the earlier part of her career in agriculture, said agriculture also plays an important part in the Australian economy; saying cereals, fisheries and livestock farming dominate the sector.
She noted that her country’s foreign policy has been re-oriented to engage Africa more and hence her visit — commissioned by the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard — to explore ways of mutual cooperation. She noted that Australia has harnessed the potential of research in agriculture to improve its economy.
This, she noted, is important since volatile food prices coupled with climate change issues are depleting agricultural resources.
Ms Hewitt, who was accompanied by the Australian Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. Bill Williams, noted that Australia is committed to deepening its engagement with Ghana — especially in areas such as the mining sector and agricultural research among others.
A number of Ghanaian officials have benefitted from a range of Australian government training opportunities, with a number from MOFA being awarded Australia-Africa scholarships in 2012 to cover agreed priority areas.
By Konrad Kodjo Djaisi
