President John Dramani Mahama has launched the Vegetable Development Project, locally known as YERIDIA, describing it as a strategic intervention aimed at transforming Ghana into a competitive, technology-driven vegetable producer and significantly reducing the country’s dependence on imports.
Speaking at the launch in Kukum, the President said the initiative forms a core part of the government’s Feed Ghana Programme, designed to address decades of low domestic vegetable production, especially during the dry season.
“For many years, our inability to produce adequate volumes of vegetables has forced us to rely heavily on imports, exposing our economy to unstable supply chains and foreign exchange pressures,” President Mahama said. “The Vegetable Development Project directly tackles this weakness and repositions Ghana as a net producer.”
At the heart of the project is the installation of solar-powered irrigation systems covering 60 hectares across six communities, Kukum, Nobeko, Dantano, Sankori, Asibrim, and Kwapon.
The President stressed that irrigation remains the foundation of sustainable vegetable production.
“These installations will provide reliable water supply, lower energy costs, reduce carbon emissions, and ensure climate resilience,” he noted.
Farmers have already begun receiving improved seeds, organic fertilizer, agronomic training, and digital advisory services.
A committed off-taker, FarmMeats, has been introduced to guarantee predictable markets for farmers’ produce.
A modern packhouse will also be constructed to manage grading, sorting, packaging, and cold-chain logistics.
The entire project is expected to be completed within 12 months.
President Mahama emphasized that YERIDIA is integrated into the broader Feed Ghana 2025–2028 Agricultural Transformation Agenda, which seeks to scale up production of strategic commodities, including rice, maize, soya bean, cassava, vegetables, poultry, and cashew.
Under the programme, the government is setting up Farmer Service Centres to provide mechanisation, inputs, and extension services, expanding irrigation systems, building commodity-based cooperatives for smallholders, supporting women and youth with targeted livelihood initiatives, and improving storage, agro-processing, value addition, and market access.
“These efforts lay the foundation for a 24-hour agricultural economy, powered by technology, reliable markets, and continuous production cycles,” he said.
The President highlighted the vegetable sector as one of agriculture’s highest-return areas, with short cropping cycles and strong income-generating potential.
In the Ahafo Region, the new irrigation systems are expected to expand dry-season farming, strengthen cooperatives, boost nationwide market supply, and create employment opportunities, particularly for young people and women.
President Mahama expressed appreciation to farmers, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, development partners, and private sector collaborators, including FarmMate, for their contribution to the project’s success.
“The launch of the Vegetable Development Project marks another significant step in our reset agenda,” the President declared. “With discipline, unity, and a shared sense of purpose, we will feed Ghana, we will grow Ghana, and we will transform Ghana.”
He then officially launched the YERIDIA Vegetable Development Project.
Source: Myxyzonline.com
