In a bold move to promote food security and youth employment, the Government of Ghana has officially kickstarted the Feed Ghana initiative with the cultivation of 500 acres of maize. The programme aims to expand to 2,000 acres by September 2026, positioning agriculture as a viable career path for young Ghanaians.
Speaking at the government’s Accountability Series press briefing on Monday, August 4, 2025, in Accra, the Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, Hon. George Opare Addo, described the initiative as a strategic step to create jobs and improve national food production.
“We have launched Feed Ghana with 500 acres of maize this year and are targeting an increase to 2,000 acres by next year,” he announced.
Empowering Youth Through Agriculture
The pilot phase is currently underway, engaging young participants in areas such as the Afram Plains and Yendi. These farmlands are being cultivated to supply food for key national programmes like the School Feeding Programme and other government-backed food distribution efforts.
The initiative is being executed by the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) in partnership with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. Mr. Opare Addo emphasized that Feed Ghana is not just about farming but about building an integrated value chain that connects production, processing, and market access.
“This is an end-to-end agricultural model,” he said. “From seed to market, young people are being trained, resourced, and guided with production targets, business skills, and access to structured markets.”
Support for Young Farmers
Participants in the programme are receiving technical training, farming inputs, mechanized services, and access to financial credit. These support systems are designed to lower the risks often linked with youth involvement in farming, ensuring sustainable participation.
Feed Ghana also aligns with broader national agricultural policies such as Planting for Food and Jobs Phase II, which focuses on improving aggregation, storage, and agro-processing capacities across the country.
Future Expansion Plans
In the months ahead, the programme will grow beyond maize to include rice, soya beans, and vegetables. At least six more regions are expected to be added to the rollout.
Hon. Opare Addo stressed that the ultimate goal is to reshape the perception of agriculture among the youth—not as a backup plan but as a lucrative and stable profession.
“We want young people to see farming as a business—a business that feeds the nation and secures their future,” he concluded.
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