The Minister of Agriculture-designate, Eric Opoku, has assured Ghanaians that the new ruling government, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), is committed to reducing food losses in the country.
Speaking at his vetting yesterday, the minister-designate outlined a strategic plan aimed at tackling the persistent issue of food losses in the country, calling it a “serious problem” that demands immediate attention.
Eric Opoku emphasized the importance of finding innovative solutions to address the high levels of food waste that occur between harvest and market distribution.
However, the minister-designate proposed the introduction of mini plants, which will be strategically located close to farms across the country. These plants, the Minister said, will be designed to process agricultural produce immediately after harvest, reducing the amount of time food spends in transit and storage, and ultimately minimizing spoilage.
“It is indeed a serious problem confronting agriculture in this country. By encouraging the private sector to invest in these mini plants, we can ensure that food is processed and made available to the market much faster”.
“This initiative will not only reduce food losses but also create jobs and stimulate local economies.”
The government is expected to work closely with the private sector to facilitate the establishment of these mini plants, with a focus on making them easily accessible to farmers, particularly those in rural areas.
