“Planting for Food and Jobs” is a flagship programme by the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration. The programme, according to the government is designed to encourage citizens, both urban and rural, to take up farming as a full time and part time activity to help improve food security and create wealth.

About 200,000 farmers across the country are expected to join the cultivation of vegetables and other cereals such as maize, rice among others.

Commenting on the programme in an interview with Ghanadistricts.com, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area, Mr Martin Obeng underscored the importance of the programme and added his district has taken delivery of various farm inputs and seedlings to help commence the programme during the minor farming season.

He said the assembly began sensitizing the chiefs and people of Nsuatre, Chiraa, Fiapre and Odumase whose main occupation is farming to help get their full support and engagement in the all-important programme to help bring it to fruition.

He further made known that the assembly is also liaising with the technical committee of the “Planting for food and jobs” programme in a proposal that will allow farmers in the area make all financial transactions regarding the programme through various rural banks in the area.

He said this will reduce the stress farmers go through in their quest to access fertilizers that are meant for the programme. In addition, the DCE also disclosed that the assembly was considering putting up storerooms at various central points to ensure easy accessibility to these farm inputs.