Agricultural Research Scientist, Professor Roger Kanton, has outlined six essential systems Ghana must urgently develop to transform its struggling agricultural sector and boost food security.
Speaking on President John Dramani Mahama’s 120 days in office on Wednesday May 7, he emphasised the need for a comprehensive approach beyond the surface-level interventions often proposed by policymakers.
“The first is the seed system,” he stated, pointing to the importance of reliable and quality seeds for increasing yields and strengthening farmer resilience. “Then comes mechanisation—but I’m not talking about just ‘tractorisation’. That’s where the politicians get it wrong. Mechanisation is a whole system: planters, harvesters, and more—not just tractors.”
The third pillar, he explained, is fertilisation. “Our soils are very acidic. You can’t keep pumping in fertilizer without liming the soil to raise the pH. It’s madness. Without this, the fertilizer won’t work.”
He also called for serious attention to post-harvest management, revealing that Ghana loses up to 50% of its farm produce after harvest due to inadequate storage and handling.
“Next is processing. We’re not talking about massive factories,” he said. “Just modest, efficient facilities like our neighbours in Burkina Faso and Togo have. We need to revive companies like the Tumu Cotton Company and add value to crops like soybean and rice.”
Lastly, Prof Kanton stressed the critical role of irrigation, lamenting that less than 10% of Ghana’s arable land is currently irrigated. “Irrigation alone won’t feed us, but without it, we’ll never reach our potential,” he warned.
He concluded by urging political leaders and agricultural policymakers to shift from rhetoric to real, science-based solutions.
