The Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Akamugri Atanga, has revealed plans for the establishment of five Farmer Service Centres (FSCs) across the region as part of government’s renewed commitment to modernising agriculture and enhancing food security.
The announcement was made during the 2025 Regional Farmers’ Day celebration held at Bolgatanga Senior High School in the Talensi District, where the Minister delivered the keynote address.
According to Mr. Akamugri, the FSCs will operate as fully resourced one-stop hubs offering mechanisation services, agricultural inputs, market linkages, financial support, extension services, and capacity building for farmers. The beneficiary districts include Builsa South, Bongo, Kassena-Nankana Municipal, Garu/Tempane, and Talensi.
He explained that the initiative forms part of the government’s broader Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda (AETA) and the newly introduced Feed Ghana Programme both aimed at improving productivity, promoting dry-season farming, and creating sustainable and resilient agricultural systems.
Nationally, 50 districts are expected to benefit from a total of 4,400 modern agricultural machines including tractors, combine harvesters, sprayers, seed drills, and fertilizer spreaders to boost efficiency in production and processing.
Touching on regional food production, the Minister disclosed that 8,223 farmers in the Upper East Region have been enrolled onto the Ghana Agricultural Aggregation Platform through which they will receive essential inputs for year-round farming. He also highlighted the distribution of more than 31,000 bags of fertilizer and 100 repurposed water pumps—originally seized from illegal mining operators—to support irrigation activities across the region.
Mr. Atanga further emphasised the government’s directive mandating schools to procure locally produced rice, maize, chicken, and eggs. He noted that buying Ghanaian products remains crucial to strengthening the local currency, reducing import dependency, and supporting indigenous farmers.
The Upper East Regional Director of Agriculture, Alhaji Zakaria Fuseini, confirmed that preparatory activities for the rollout of the FSCs have begun, with the registration of farmer-based organisations currently underway. He encouraged women, youth, and vulnerable groups to take advantage of the Nkoko Nketenkete backyard poultry initiative to improve nutrition and household income.
Alhaji Fuseini also highlighted the region’s increasing strides toward food self-sufficiency, supported by major irrigation schemes at Vea, Tono, and Tamni, as well as ongoing rehabilitation of small dams in various communities.
Commending farmers for their resilience, the Regional Minister reiterated that transforming agriculture into a modern, market-driven sector remains key to driving economic growth and creating jobs.
This year’s Farmers’ Day celebration was held under the theme: Feed Ghana, Eat Ghana, Secure the Future.”
The event also honoured the Chief of the Pelungu Traditional Area, Naab Serig Sore Sobil IV who was adjudged the Overall Best Farmer in the Upper East Region for 2025.
Source: Bluewaves Radio 93.7fm|Maurice Duncan
