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Agric gets GH₵100mil increment in 2016 Budget allocation

In 2016, the Ministry will expand the SLWMP to 46 new communities to implement SLWM technologies for increased productivity.

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The Agricultural  Ministry has been allocated an amount of GH₵501,501,708.00 in the 2016 Budget.

This is a 100 million increment in the GHC411 million government allocated in 2014.

Out of this, GH₵322,094,227.00 is GoG, GH₵4,065,650.00 is IGF and GH₵175,341,831.00 is from Development

In 2016, the Ministry will expand the SLWMP to 46 new communities to implement SLWM technologies for increased productivity. The Resilient Landscape for Sustainable Livelihood (RLSL) will implement farmer field schools on major crops such as cereals and dry season vegetables in the 10 selected communities.

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Village savings and loans will also be implemented. This is to promote alternative livelihood, build financial resources of farmers and encourage group formation which will create a common platform for farmers to market their produce.in 2015, the Ministry produced 16 million doses of ND1-2 vaccines out of a target of 32 million for the control of Newcastle disease in poultry.

A total of 5,750,000 doses were also distributed countrywide.In order to manage Avian Influenza outbreak, the Ministry destroyed a total of 37,143 birds in 18 affected farms in 3 regions. Stringent measures such as destruction, disinfection and compensation of farmers was put in place.

The Ministry in collaboration with CSIR, released 5 new hybrid maize varieties (Sika Aburo, Kunjor-Wari, Suhudoo, Warikamana and Kpari-Faako) and six new cassava varieties were recommended for release.

The released varieties have average potential yields of 6tons/ha and 20tons/ha for maize and cassava, respectively.

COCOA SECTORcocoa continued to play its pivotal role in the development of the economy. Several broad policy measures to support the cocoa sub-sector were implemented.

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These measures were to ensure efficiency through streamlining of activities, introduction of new interventions and programmes in order to contribute efficiently to growth in the cocoa sector.

Loan Syndication

For the 2015/16 crop year an amount of US$1.8 billion was raised in the syndicated loan market. The loan was acquired to fund the purchasing of the  2015/16 cocoa.

Cocoa Roads

Government is committed to improving the road network in the cocoa growing communities.

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For the 2015/16 cocoa season, COCOBOD has set aside US$150,000 for the rehabilitation of cocoa roads. This programme will help improve the quality of life, which will motivate the youth to stay in these communities and engage in cocoa farming.

Coffee farmers will also be supported with fertilizers to hasten the growth of young plants and improve the productivity of mature coffee plants. Coffee farmers will also be supported with extension services.

This special Presidential initiative will be aimed at attracting the youth to take up coffee cultivation as a lucrative business in the identified areas.

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