Covid 19: Agribusiness Chamber calls for measures to improve food security

Source: B&FT Online | 23 March 2020

The Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana (CAG) has called on government – as part of measures to deal with effects of the coronavirus outbreak – to scale-up its efforts in improving the nation’s level of food security.

In a communiqué signed by the CEO of CAG, Farmer Anthony S.K. Morrison, the chamber is urging government to as a matter of urgency set up the Ghana Agriculture Emergency and Disaster Fund (GAE-DF) to support farmers and other players in the agriculture supply chain, as well as provide some stimulus packages and other support systems to them.

“The agribusiness industry provides critical opportunity for rural poverty reduction and the development of low-income communities in Ghana. Food security is therefore highly critical, and hence its recognition within the MDGs and SDGs as a strong and critically achievable goal for the world.

“For this reason, CAG is calling on government to profile major food production zones in the country and prioritise resources while embarking on mopping-up other essentials in developing and commercialising vegetables and underutilised crops.

“Food security crops such as rice, maize, soybean, sorghum, yam, potato, cowpea, cassava, millet and groundnuts should be prioritised for commercial development. The poultry, livestock and aquaculture value chains should be included in the stimulus package,” the statement read.