Over 11.3 million Ghanaians, according to the 2017/2018 Ghana Agriculture Census Report, are said to be involved in agriculture.
Fifty-one per cent of the 11.3 million Ghanaians involved in agriculture are women, with the remaining 49 per cent being men.
The report launched by President Akufo-Addo on Monday, October 19, revealed that 75.2 per cent of agricultural activity in the country remains mainly rural and rudimentary, with little innovation and modernisation.
The use of modern tools and equipment such as tractors, shellers, power tillers, hatchery/incubator, meat processing equipment and milking equipment is considered negligible.
Tractors are the most used, yet the least owned equipment whilst fertilizer is not used by most farmers.
The use of pesticides is highly prevalent among holders and crop cultivation is predominantly dependent on rain.
Additionally, the Report indicated that the sector remains unfriendly to special interest groups, including persons with difficulty in performing activities and women.
Also, the level of education among agricultural holders is low; and the sector, to a large extent, is characterised by consumption of own produce.
Majority of land parcels used for the cultivation of crops are smaller than two acres, with the youth, generally, finding agribusiness unattractive.
The purpose of the Census is to help provide a basis to monitor the progress of Government’s interventions, offer insights on the transformation of the sector, and, more importantly, ensure the integration of the agriculture, industry and services sectors.
