The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) has announced a partnership with the African Agribusiness Consortium (AAC) to establish a 750-acre irrigated vegetable production hub as part of efforts to absorb and deploy 118 Ghanaian agricultural graduates trained in Russia.
The graduates, who completed postgraduate studies at the People’s Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), were sponsored by the Jospong Group of Companies through the African Agribusiness Consortium.
Welcoming the graduates in Accra on Tuesday, Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, described their return as a significant boost to Ghana’s agricultural transformation agenda and the implementation of the government’s Feed Ghana Programme.
“Government sees you as critical assets in transforming Ghana’s agriculture. The country needs skilled professionals to drive innovation, improve productivity and modernise the sector,” the Minister said.
Under the partnership, MoFA will provide 750 acres of irrigated land at Konadu for the vegetable production hub, while the African Agribusiness Consortium will supply the required logistics and bear the cost of irrigation water.
Mr. Opoku said the initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to leveraging private sector partnerships to expand commercial agriculture, strengthen food security, create jobs and reduce Ghana’s dependence on food imports.
The graduates comprise 88 specialists in Agronomy and 30 in Ecology. They are expected to contribute to commercial farming, agricultural research, extension services and sustainable agricultural development.
The Minister urged the graduates to apply the knowledge acquired abroad to solve practical challenges in Ghana’s agricultural sector.
“You must become agents of transformation, using your expertise to improve productivity, tackle real agricultural challenges and inspire the next generation of agricultural professionals,” he said, assuring them of the Ministry’s continued support.
The Feed Ghana Programme is a flagship government initiative aimed at increasing food production, enhancing food security and accelerating agriculture-led economic transformation through strategic public-private partnerships.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
