By: Ashiadey Dotse
The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has announced that government is enrolling 10,000 young people onto a four-year National Service Scheme (NSS) programme, with a portion of them set to be permanently retained each year to strengthen agricultural extension delivery. This forms part of efforts to close the wide gap between farmers and extension officers across the country.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series in Accra on Monday November 24, 2025, the minister said the initiative will help address the long-standing shortage of extension officers, which has slowed the adoption of modern farming practices.
He explained that many trained graduates from the Ministry’s Agricultural and Veterinary Colleges, some dating back to 2015, have not been posted due to limited vacancies. The new programme will therefore absorb them while improving frontline support to farmers.
Mr. Opoku said the youth will work alongside extension officers to support farmers with training, technology adoption, input usage, and improved farming methods. Those who perform well will be maintained as permanent staff of the ministry each year.
The minister noted that the move is part of a bigger strategy to modernize and transform Ghana’s agriculture under the Feed Ghana programme. He highlighted irrigation infrastructure as a critical pillar for food sufficiency and climate resilience, stressing that government is shifting from rain-fed agriculture to irrigation-based farming to ensure year-round food production.
According to him, key developments made within the last nine months include the construction of 10 new small dams and the rehabilitation of eight existing ones. Government has also provided 250 solar-powered boreholes across farming communities and second cycle schools in the Northern, Bono and Ahafo regions.
In addition, irrigation schemes are being rehabilitated in Bolgatanga and Bongo in the Upper East Region, Ketu North in the Volta Region, Techiman in Bono East, and Ashaiman in Greater Accra and Volta respectively. Canada has donated 25 solar-powered boreholes 15 already completed with the remaining 10 expected by early 2026. The European Union has also supported Ghana with 45 solar-powered boreholes for northern districts.
Mr. Opoku revealed that work has begun on new inland valleys for large-scale rice production in Bofreyedru and other communities adding that government is preparing to roll out the first 50 Farmer Service Centres across the country, which will be equipped with over 4,000 pieces of machinery, including 660 tractors and 400 combine harvesters.
He added that 540 motorbikes are being procured to improve the mobility of agricultural extension agents, 150 of which have already been distributed. The minister also announced the planned launch of the Ghana Food Brigade before the end of the year to further support food production efforts.
He reaffirmed government’s commitment to strengthening farmer cooperatives as key structures for training, finance, mechanisation and market access.
He stressed that by investing in extension delivery and modern infrastructure, Ghana is building a strong foundation for climate-smart, data-driven agriculture capable of ensuring long-term food security.
