Otumfuo Proposes Plan to Revolutionize Farming in Ghana

As a way of attracting interest and increasing farming prospects across the country, the King of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has proposed a review of the payment mode for lands meant for agricultural projects.

On a win-win level, the King proposed that these pieces of land be allotted based on equity stake rather than cash.

This method was deployed in the olden days, and His Majesty says it could be adopted in the government’s quest to make the country self-reliant in food production.

By equity, Otumfuo explained that traditional authorities get ownership stakes in produce from the land they allot to interested parties.

“Traditional authorities must not demand unreasonable amounts to sell lands to farmers because they can’t afford it. Let’s make use of equity to give the traditional authorities ownership stakes in the food production chain. They must have a percentage in the goods produced.”

His Majesty envisions that this will make land accessibility effortless for the few youths who hold an interest in farming and yet face constraints.

Otumfuo urged traditional authorities in this regard to apportion idle land for the cause.

“Some people are interested in farming but don’t have the means to get land. We have to seek such people and allot land to them. Traditional authorities must give out idle lands for farming.”

Meanwhile, he urged the government to provide financial support to small-scale miners for expansion.

The Asantehene said this while bemoaning Ghana’s heavy reliance on imported vegetables from neighbouring countries despite the vast arable lands the country is blessed with.

“It’s sad that we import tomatoes and onions from other countries. The money we use to import food can be used for other relevant things when we put in place the effective policies and measures.”

His Majesty reflected on how the country’s food production story could have been different had the “Operation Feed Yourself” initiative introduced in 1972 been sustained.

“At the time, everyone cultivated a garden. We need to revive the practice to benefit the nation.”

Irrigation
Otumfuo further stressed the need for effective irrigation systems to support food production in rural areas.

“Provide reliable irrigation systems for farmers so they don’t only depend on rain for their production.”

Expectation
His Majesty is expecting the country to transition into self-reliance in the next four years.

“By the end of this year, I expect that there will be some positive change. In the next year, the importation should be halved and subsequently, by the end of your tenure we should be self-reliant.”

The King made these remarks on June 13, 2025, when the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon Eric Opoku, visited the Manhyia Palace to provide a briefing on measures the government was taking to ensure food security.

Giving shocking statistics on food imports, he said $2 billion is used annually to import food into the country while the country produces only 5% of the chicken it consumes.

Feed Ghana
Hon Opoku highlighted the flagship Feed Ghana initiative envisioned to make the country’s food sufficient.

“We are advocating for Ghanaians to cultivate gardening in their homes. Schools from Primary, Junior High, second cycle and universities are to undertake backyard farming. It will enhance the school feeding initiative.”

He announced that schools excelling in this programme will be recognized at this year’s Farmer’s Day as a motivation.

The Ghana Armed Forces, the Ghana Prisons Service and the National Service Authority (NSA) are all included in the Feed Ghana project, he reported.

“Nkoko Nketenkete” Programme
Hon Eric also informed the King that the “Nkoko Nketenkete” project aimed at increasing domestic poultry production will soon be launched in the Ashanti Region.

In furtherance of this, he said, he earlier today engaged the owner of A2 Enterprise who is venturing into fowl feed production.

“We have engaged a man in this region known as A2 who has established a poultry feed plant to produce at an affordable price to supply the participants of the project.”

According to him, the Ministry is now focused on getting maize farmers who will reliably feed the plant.

Source: https://opemsuo.com/author/hajara-fuseini/