The Pro Vice Chancellor of the University for Development Studies(UDS),Prof Alhassan Seidu has intimated that, development and implementation of agricultural policies are prerequisite for the attainment of the three core Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Ghana.
He noted that, agriculture had the potential to end poverty in all forms as stressed by the SDG’s goal one, End hunger through food security as captured in goal two and ensuring healthy lives for all at all ages, as confined in goal three of the SDG’s.
In a speech on behalf of the Vice Chancellor of UDS at the first International conference on irrigation and agricultural development, Prof Seidu Alhassan said with an irrigation potential of 1.9 million hectares, only 221,000 hectares are in use which gives Ghana a significant investment opportunity.
“The elimination of hunger and malnutrition and the achievement of food security through the right combination of Cross-sectoral policies are very important in the achievement of the desired results if the agricultural sector must grow. Ghana has an irrigation potential of 1.9 million hectares but only 11.6% (221,000 hectares) are being used”, Prof Seidu noted.
Dean of the school of engineering at UDS, Dr. Felix K. Abagale on his part noted that, with the increasing effects of climate change on agricultural production, gains made through intensification on agricultural development by various stakeholders should be enhanced to promote the livelihoods of those engaged in it.
Metropolitan Chief Executive of Tamale Iddrisu Musah, underscored the importance of food security as a means of reducing poverty, and appealed for more support to the agricultural sector, in attainment of this vision.
He said, “It is an understatement to mention that agriculture is the mainstay of this country, as a large proportion of the economically active population is engaged in it. Through it, both objectives of achieving food security and reducing poverty can be realized”
The first International Irrigation and Agricultural Development Conference is on the theme “Irrigation and Agriculture Development, Challenges and Prospects for the Sector’s Growth”.
The two days conference is the first in the series of bi-annual conference to be organized with the aim to create a platform for the exchange of ideas and knowledge among practitioners in the irrigation and agricultural sectors in Ghana, Africa and the world at large.
Source: Diamond FM/ Ken-Zorre Edwards
