Agric Minister Calls on SHS Authorities to Set Up School Farms to Support Food Supplies

The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has called on all secondary schools across Ghana to establish farms to grow essential crops for feeding their students. This directive was made during a media engagement on February 14, where he emphasized the importance of using the country’s abundant land resources to combat food shortages in schools.

Opoku revealed that letters had already been sent to secondary schools nationwide through the regional directors of the Ministry. The call comes in response to growing concerns about food shortages in some senior high schools following the implementation of the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy. With the increased enrolment due to the policy, the demand for food has outpaced the supply, putting pressure on school feeding systems.

The Minister believes that secondary schools, along with other institutions such as churches, traditional authorities, and district assemblies, possess enough land to grow food crops that can contribute to the national “Feed Ghana” initiative. “We have rich, fertile soil around us, and yet we hear of schools struggling to get enough food for their students, waiting for supplies from Accra. This situation should not be the case,” Opoku lamented. He proposed that schools could use the land surrounding their campuses to cultivate essential crops such as rice, maize, yam, and plantain, thus reducing their dependency on external suppliers.

In addition to schools, Opoku extended the appeal to churches, emphasizing that food security is vital for the overall well-being of individuals, especially in enabling them to actively participate in religious services. “How can people attend church if they do not have enough food to eat?” Opoku asked, urging religious organizations to also engage in farming. He acknowledged that some churches have already ventured into agricultural activities and encouraged others to follow suit. By tapping into available land, churches, schools, and local authorities can contribute to their communities’ food production and alleviate the pressure on the national food system.

Opoku further expressed his belief that Ghana has the potential to not only feed its own population but also support the entire West African region. “Ghana has the resources and the capacity to produce enough food, not just for ourselves, but for the rest of West Africa as well,” he declared, stressing that there is no reason for the country to rely on imports when it has fertile land to grow its own food.

As part of a larger strategy to achieve food security, the Minister outlined the government’s “Feed Ghana” program, which aims to ensure the country’s self-sufficiency in food production. This initiative is not limited to school farming; it extends to encouraging every Ghanaian citizen to cultivate their own food. Opoku explained that the “Feed the People” component of the program calls for people to plant food in their homes, such as peppers, tomatoes, and garden eggs, to supplement their daily diets and reduce overall food costs. He referred to these efforts as “home gardens,” which can be created anywhere on a person’s property, not just in the backyard.

“We are launching a major campaign to encourage every Ghanaian to take advantage of the fertile soil around them and start growing food at home,” Opoku said, urging citizens to support the campaign and participate in the initiative. He stressed that even small-scale farming within homes could make a significant impact on food availability and reduce the financial burden of purchasing food.

Opoku’s call for schools, churches, and individuals to engage in farming reflects the government’s broader goal of achieving food security and ensuring that Ghana becomes self-sufficient in food production. By utilizing the land around them, these institutions can contribute significantly to addressing food shortages while improving the overall food supply in the country.

Through such initiatives, the government hopes to reduce dependence on food imports, improve local food production, and promote sustainable agricultural practices across Ghana. This comprehensive approach aims to ensure that all Ghanaians, including students, have access to nutritious food while fostering a culture of local food production for the country’s long-term benefit.