LAND TENURE SYSTEM UNDERMINING AGRIC PRODUCTION-GARDJA URGES GOV'T.

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As Ghana marks its 34th National Farmers Day to honour her hardworking farmers and fishers, the Ghana Agricultural and Rural Development Journalists’ Association, GARDJA, has urged government to develop pragmatic and sustainable policies to address the myriad of challenges undermining agricultural production across the country. 

In a statement jointly signed and issued in Kumasi by the President, Richmond Frimpong and General Secretary, Ernest Kofi Adu, to recognize and appreciate the contribution of farmers to the economy on the occasion of the national farmers day, GARDJA mentioned in particular, difficulties associated with land acquisition and ownership for farming purposes as one bottle-neck that must be tackled head-on. 

According to GARDJA which is a media advocacy group on agric and rural development, the largely customary land holding system does not only undermines agriculture production, but is also a major cause of conflict in the society.

The situation, the statement warns, is being aggravated by the increasing scramble for the limited available lands by private and commercial developers into residential estates. ‘There is no doubt that, Ghana’s land tenure system has inflicted savage repression on agriculture, aside from its generation of conflict’, the statement noted. 

 Another problem identified by GARDJA for government’s intervention, is the cost of, and difficulties in credit facility procurement for investment in the sector which is serving as a major disincentive to particularly the youth and smallholder farmers to expand their holdings. 

The Statement is urging government to come out with a deliberate regulatory policy geared towards attaining single-digit credit facilities and very flexible re-payment terms for agricultural producers to increase their businesses. 

Touching on poultry production, GARDJA recommends that, the state establishes poultry production plants across the country with the aim of increasing the local production level from the current 10 per cent of the national demand of broiler meat to match up the annual poultry import bill. 

The statement commended all farmers and fishers in Ghana for their sustained hardwork just to feed the nation while congratulating the award winners at all levels during this year’s celebration.


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