By Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
The government’s swift move to purchase tomatoes and onions from farmers in the Asante Akim North District is being hailed as a practical demonstration of the Feed Ghana Programme’s impact on food security and education.
The move follows appeals from the Member of Parliament for Asante Akim North, Frimpong Kwame Ohene Asante.
Farmers in the district recently recorded a bumper harvest under the initiative, but a lack of ready buyers placed them at risk of post-harvest losses. With crops like tomatoes and onions being highly perishable, the situation threatened not only farmer incomes but also the sustainability of food production.
To address the challenge, President John Dramani Mahama directed that the produce be supplied to senior high schools in the district, ensuring that students benefit directly from locally grown food.
According to Dr. Peter Boamah Otokunor, Director of Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness, the directive guarantees “fair value for farmers while supporting nutritious meals for students.”
Beyond solving immediate marketing hurdles, government officials say this model demonstrates how agriculture can be integrated into social services such as school feeding — creating a win-win for farmers and communities.
At the same press briefing, the government launched a digital registration platform for its ambitious Three Million Coconut Seedlings Initiative, aimed at crop diversification and boosting Ghana’s non-traditional exports. Farmers are required to secure land and register online to participate.
“The digital process reduces bureaucracy and speeds up access. With proper land preparation, beneficiaries can ensure higher yields and long-term sustainability,” Dr. Otokunor noted.
The intervention in Asante Akim North could therefore set a precedent for linking farmers’ harvests to structured markets like schools, hospitals, and public institutions under the broader Feed Ghana Programme.
