Dr Sidik Baba Sulemana, an Agricultural Innovation Technology Consultant, has called for the reintroduction of Ghana’s state farm policy, describing it as a viable strategy to strengthen food security, increase agricultural productivity and create sustainable employment for the youth.
He said the state farms initiative, introduced in the 1960s, played a significant role in transforming Ghana’s agricultural sector and could once again contribute to addressing food insecurity and youth unemployment if properly implemented.
Dr Sulemana, who is also a Lecturer at the Department of Agricultural Innovation Communication at the University for Development Studies (UDS), said professionally managed state farms, insulated from political interference, could serve as modern agribusiness hubs that support production and create jobs across the agricultural value chain.
Speaking in an interview, he said the initiative had the potential to generate employment in crop and livestock production, food processing, agricultural mechanisation services, transportation, input supply and other agribusiness activities.
“State farms can play an important role in addressing food insecurity and youth unemployment in Ghana if they are managed well. The policy can boost local food production, reduce food imports and create jobs for young people along the agricultural value chain,” he said.
Dr Sulemana identified poor management and weak accountability as the biggest threats to the success of public sector agricultural interventions, warning that the policy could fail if it became politicised or lacked sound business management.
He stressed that transparent, professionally managed and market-oriented state farms would be better positioned to achieve their intended objectives.
To improve efficiency and minimise political interference, he recommended that government outsource the recruitment and management of the farms to competent private recruitment firms and agribusiness companies.
He also urged government to prioritise crop and livestock value chains with high employment potential while strengthening national food security.
Dr Sulemana further proposed that the initiative should begin with pilot state farms supported by robust monitoring, evaluation and accountability systems before being expanded across the country.
