Comments for Food Security Ghana

Comment on Issues to scrutinise in the 2013 Food and Agricultural Budget by Amy Jensen

Amy Jensen — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 14:43:25 +0000

I find this article to be extremely informative in that it brings up so many issues that absolutely need to be investigated and followed through upon. I know this continent is in so much need of improvement in so many areas and this is definitely one of those areas. I work for a nonprofit in Africa that helps provide education to children. I have seen the great effects of poverty upon these great people. My hope is that those responsible for this will hold themselves accountable and be held accountable by others to fully put this budget into action.

Comment on Contact Us by Seidu Mustapha lanayina

Seidu Mustapha lanayina — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 20:20:32 +0000

l am a Manager to a Rice milling processes in Bolgatanga. in the Upper east reg. any opportunity for me!
Thank you.

Comment on Subscribe by sandeep shinde

sandeep shinde — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 12:04:15 +0000

Hi,

We are one of the prestigious supplier of Agri products of India.

Comment on A New Presidency, A New Food Security Policy? by G. Mitti

G. Mitti — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 09:38:31 +0000

Yes I join you in congratulating the President for winning the election. As for new policy, I think we have a very good policy in PHASED II and the METASIP program is good, though ambitious. The challenge we have is that of IMPLEMENTATION and focus. We also seem to be torn between agriculture commercialization and food security goals, especially for the northern part of the country where food security is an issue. Both are important goals but the efforts and support infrastructure and strategies can be different. Having worked with small holder farmers most of my life and in different countries, I find the productivity of peasant farmers in northern Ghana extremely low yet there is great untapped potential to increase productivity several folds and in short time with the right strategy. Most farming practices are very basic hence poor yields – e.g. use of poor seeds, poor soil fertility management, poor planting practices (e.g. many still broadcast rice, plant mixed varieties), poor water management and weeding in rice fields, use of inappropriate tools, etc. We don’t even need the expensive tractors to improve productivity in the north, for example… simpler but more effective technology and farming techniques can change the productivity significantly – e.g. planting pure rice varieties in rows, timely planting and weeding and good harvesting and processing can easily double the yields. This has been done in other countries. Conservation farming has more than doubled maize yield in many places… these can be achieved within the current policy framework and GoG programs. Besides there is lots of money being pumped into the north but at times with conflicting objectives – e.g. conservation farming (promoting minimum tillage) is challenged by the tractor program which encourages ploughing.

This is a little over-simplified but you get the point. We can produce more with what we have if we can use it smartly.

Comment on Contact Us by Edmund Boadi

Edmund Boadi — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 12:23:19 +0000

Hi,
as the programme coordinator for the sustainable forest management partnership-SFMP-Ghana, i was indeed happy to read you article on food security in Ghana. SFMP-Ghana is a partnership involving fivr individual organisations and one Traditional authority. These organisations are Friends of the Earth Ghana (FoE), Rural Development and Youth Association (RUDEYA), Kumasi Wood Cluster Association (KWC), the National Working Group on Forest Certification (NWG) and the AGribusiness in Sustainable Natural African Plant Products (ASNAPP). The traditional authority is the Wassa Amenfi Traditional Council.

We will be pleased if we could partner with you so that we attempt to solve this issue of food insecurity. this i think we can do if Forest Fringe Communities are empowered and other Non Timber Forest Products like allangarcia, Grifornia Voacanga etc are introduced to them as an alternative source of income so they can integrate with their food production. Thank you
EDmund

Comment on Hunger in Focus: On 30th World Food Day, 925 Million Still Hungry by Samantha

Samantha — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 04:10:28 +0000

Its amazing how many pepole will say they are “starving,” especially kids but I have been blessed and know that I haven’t had real hunger pains. That’s part of the reason I’m happy to contribute to helping others have food on their plates. There is always something that can be done to lend a hand and this is the season where need is all around us as temps drop. Thanks for the reminder.

Comment on Rice importers cringe under Ivorian crisis by Price Of Rice In Pakistan

Price Of Rice In Pakistan — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 10:29:30 +0000

I’m impressed, I must say. Really rarely do I encounter a blog that’s both educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, http://foodsecurityghana.com have hit the nail on the head. Your idea is outstanding; the issue is something that not enough people are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy that I stumbled across this in my search for something relating to this.

Comment on Contact Us by Aaron

Aaron — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 20:41:29 +0000

Hello, Very excited about some of the articles on this site. Please can I have a telephone number to call to possibly start some conversation and possible collaboration.

Comment on Agriculture Ministry inaugurates Committee to address animal production by Fox Grafe

Fox Grafe — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 17:47:31 +0000

Grass-cutter domesticating and raring is a catalyst project initiated by Government. It is wondered whether it has been monitored, and verified over the years since its implementation. The project was a problem of biodiversity among others which could have not been successful without solving the problem of poverty, This is because Grass-cutter is a delicacy within the sub-region and due to the high demand more than supply.. the various efforts to arrest them has brought about their near extinction, degradation of the bio-diversity, poisoning, and other negative effects..Being the source of livelihood for the rural poor, hunters, and some urban low income group of people,it is only tactical for the Government to promote and not neglect it at the brink of its success.
The development of the value chain, institution of best practices and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point Principles and marketing facility, cannot be over emphasized.. Government should have faith in this project and know that a lot of achievement is in the pipeline.

Comment on Food Security Ghana – Issues to track in 2012 by Fox Grafe

Fox Grafe — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 17:04:01 +0000

In response to Government initiative of food security in the area of domestication and rearing of grass-cutters, many farms have sprang up. The project being a catalyst one .has started solving the two edged problems of degradation of the biodiversity, and food security. The major bottle necks now is for the Government to create the enabling environment for best animal husbandry practices, (HACCP) Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point Principles and marketing facilities for the farmers.
Much as a lot of effort have been expended on the promotion of this initiative, it is important for the government to ensure the putting in place of an effective value chain and the existence of a ready market for the farmers to sell their output stocks.
So far the only existing efficient market is for the breeding stocks. What is expected of the Government next is specifically the funding of infrastructures for Slaughter houses, processing / packaging facility, and cold storage facilities. The market could be opened through promulgations to enable Government institutions to be supplied with the products, such as the school feeding programs, Government hospitals. the security services like the Army , Police, Customs. Prisons and immigration training centers. The expenditure of government on this infrastructures will be serviced by rents for their utilization by the beneficiary groups.The project is a success with the exception of the intervention of Government on the aforementioned expectations.