Stakeholders in the agriculture sector in the Ahafo Ano South East District have intensified efforts to boost agricultural productivity and strengthen local economic growth through a strategic planning session aimed at addressing key constraints within the agricultural value chain.
The District Department of Agriculture organised its annual District Research-Extension Linkage Committee (RELC) Planning Session to review agricultural performance, identify production bottlenecks, and develop interventions to enhance farm output, food security, and income generation.
The session brought together farmers, extension officers, farmer-based organisations, agribusiness actors, and agricultural development partners to assess the impact of programmes implemented over the past year and formulate strategies to improve productivity across the district’s crop, livestock, and poultry sectors.
Participants noted that agriculture remains the backbone of the local economy, supporting thousands of households and serving as a major source of employment and income. They stressed that improving access to extension services, inputs, and technical support would be critical to increasing yields and strengthening the district’s contribution to regional and national food production.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Ibrahim-Yamba Nelson Issaka, District Chief Executive for Ahafo Ano South East, underscored the economic importance of agriculture, stating that increased food and livestock production could drive local economic development, create jobs, and support Ghana’s broader growth agenda.
He said government interventions, including the “Feed Ghana” programme, were helping to improve farmers’ productivity and build the capacity of agricultural producers to meet growing market demand.
Mr. Issaka noted that a stronger agricultural sector would not only enhance food availability but also stimulate agro-processing activities, improve rural incomes, and contribute to poverty reduction.
The planning session attracted the District Overall Best Farmer, award-winning crop, poultry and livestock farmers, representatives of Farmer-Based Organisations (FBOs), Women in Agricultural Development (WIAD), Agricultural Extension Agents (AEAs), and officials of the Department of Agriculture.
Mr. Raymond Ocloo, District Director of Agriculture, urged farmers to continue working closely with extension officers to adopt modern farming practices and improve productivity.
He, however, expressed concern over inadequate funding for agricultural extension and development activities, revealing that the department had faced significant financial constraints over the past three years.
According to him, the funding challenges were limiting the department’s ability to deliver essential services that support farmers and drive agricultural growth.
He called on the District Assembly to allocate more resources to the agriculture sector, arguing that investment in extension services was crucial for improving production efficiency, technology adoption, and the competitiveness of local farmers.
Madam Yaa Pokua, Ashanti Regional Extension Officer, led participants through technical sessions on identifying production constraints, priority-setting, data analysis, and action planning.
She said evidence-based planning and stronger collaboration among stakeholders would help improve decision-making and support sustainable increases in agricultural output.
The outcomes of the session are expected to inform the district’s annual agricultural development plan and guide investments aimed at strengthening value chains, improving market access, and enhancing the economic contribution of agriculture to the district and the wider Ashanti Region.
