The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto says the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) is arranging a US$150 million Indian Exim Bank facility to support farmers in the Southern, Middle and Northern belts of the country.
According to him, a detailed project report for implementation has been prepared by a consultant.
The sector minister revealed this on the floor of Parliament in Accra in response to a question from Member of Parliament for Awutu-Senya West, Mrs Gizella Tetteh-Agbotui on efforts the Ministry was instituting to establish mechanisation centres for farmers in the Awutu-Senya District.
Dr. Afriyie Akoto cited that since 2018, the MoFA has imported various agricultural machinery and equipment from Brazil for sale to interested farmers, institutions and new investors at subsided rates across the country.
“Mr. Speaker, this is intended to promote the establishment of private sector-owned mechanisation centres to support farmers,” the Minister said.
Dr. Afriyie Akoto stated that mechanisation centres are to bring smallholder farmers together as a group to have the services of mechanisation at subsidised rates.