It is time for agriculture to change the rules

 It is time for agriculture to change the rules. Gone are the days when agriculture was the backbone of Ghana's economy and made a significant contribution to our GDP. In addition to providing employment for approximately 60% of the population, it ensured the local economy's continuous supply of food throughout the year. However, over the course of the past few years, the industry has diminished to a paltry shadow, plagued by a plethora of obstacles that have rendered it extremely unattractive and unproductive.

The decline in agriculture's contribution to GDP over the past five years reflects this unattractiveness. In 2010, it contributed 29.9 percent to the Gross domestic product; However, this dropped to 22.7 percent in 2012 and 25.6 percent in 2011. The sector's declining fortunes persisted in 2013 when it contributed 22.4% of GDP. It fell even further in 2014, reaching 21.5%.

Agriculture could have been expanding concurrently to maintain its luster, so the claim that the rapid expansion of the services sector, fueled by telecommunications, is to blame for the decrease in agriculture's contribution is false. High post-harvest losses remain a problem because there are no facilities for preserving excess produce for later use or for processing it.

Ironically, substantial imports of agricultural goods have become the norm. Every year, oil, salt, rice, sugar, and other imported goods lower the value of the local currency and result in a high import bill. The GRAPHIC BUSINESS is disheartened by the fact that, in the midst of the declining fortunes of the agricultural sector, much attention has been focused on oil and gas as the economy's perceived game changer.

Due to significant post-harvest losses, farmers are crying; Despite the fact that imports are rising annually, fishermen are expressing their displeasure with the reported decrease in a catch that has occurred as a result of oil exploration.

Fixing farming is a supportive unfortunate strategy that can lift a huge part of the general population out of neediness. Doing this accompanies constructive outcomes, for example, occupations at the handling processing plants and along the worth chain, direct work in the area, food security, lower expansion, a more grounded macroeconomic climate, and, at last, a more grounded nearby money. Even though GRAPHIC BUSINESS applauds the government's efforts to revive the economy, it is of the opinion that, ultimately, no significant shift in the economy can occur without repairing the agricultural sector.

It is feasible to change the economy, however, that should be possible in a far superior manner by fixing horticulture. It's time to get rid of the problems facing the industry, bring it back to its former glory, cut down on post-harvest losses and high import costs, and help save the cedi. The public authority should likewise investigate creation and efficiency, stockpiling and advertising, handling, and innovation along the horticultural worth chain.