The Minister for Food and Agriculture-designate, Eric Opoku, has pledged to revamp Ghana’s agriculture sector, aiming for food self-sufficiency and a stronger integration with industry.

Speaking before Parliament’s Appointment Committee, Mr. Opoku stressed the importance of building a symbiotic relationship between agriculture and industry. He outlined plans to connect the "Feed Ghana Project" with the "Feed Industry" initiative, a move he believes will significantly enhance both agricultural and industrial productivity.

“We want to establish a strong relationship between agriculture and industry, a symbiotic relationship in nature. So that as agriculture provides the raw materials, industry will be adding value, and in so doing we generate a lot of jobs, increase productivity,” he stated.

Addressing the low engagement of youth in agriculture, Mr. Opoku referred to a 2021 Heifer International report that showed only 5% of Ghanaian youth are involved in farming. Calling the statistic unacceptable, he expressed his commitment to making agriculture more appealing to young people. He announced plans to create expansive markets for agricultural products and promote agribusiness ventures to draw more youth into the sector.

The Minister-designate also highlighted the role of agricultural extension services in modernizing farming. He emphasized incorporating technology and research into these services to bridge the gap between farmers and modern farming techniques.

“Agric extension is very important in modernizing the sector because the extension officers serve as an intermediary between research and the farmers as they help the farmers to adopt modern techniques of farming,” he explained.

Additionally, Mr. Opoku proposed school farming initiatives to support the school feeding program while encouraging households, churches, and institutions to embrace gardening. He expressed confidence that these efforts would drive growth and innovation in Ghana’s agriculture sector.

Concluding his presentation, Mr. Opoku reiterated his vision for a modernized agricultural system that supports national economic transformation. He assured Ghanaians that his leadership would focus on attracting the youth, enhancing production, and fostering a sustainable agriculture industry interconnected with robust industrial growth.