“Planting for Food and Jobs” (PFJ) market gets high patronage
The PFJ market was introduced by government as part of a larger plan to influence prices on the open market
The opening of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) market, an initiative of the Ministry for Food and Agriculture (MoFA), was heralded by high patronage from the general public, leading to a complete sell out of all produces that were on display within a few hours after the market opened.
The PFJ market was introduced by government as part of a larger plan to influence prices on the open market by transporting foodstuffs from farming communities and farm gates into the capital city, Accra to sell at reduced prices.
The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, ahead of the start of the market, indicated to Ghanaians that the Akufo-Addo administration is worried about the rampant price increases of food items on the market.
High patronage
Speaking to Journalists on the sidelines of the opening of the market, at the forecourt of the Ministry, public relations officer of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Tanko Bagbara, noted that the pilot planting for Food and Jobs market was highly patronized and has therefore paved way for the initiative to be strengthen.
“Today, we are having plantain on displace and the first consignment as you can see is finished. There is a track on the way and we are hoping that it will arrive very soon” Tanko Bagbara said.
“At the Afua Southerland park, we are also trying to promote rice. If you go there, so also have local rice to buy.
“Tuesday (15 November 2022) Gog willing, we want to have yam, we want to have cocoyam, and we want to have more plantain coming in” he added.
Committed to PFJ market
According to Bagbara, there is evidence to show that on the ground, farmers have put in a lot of effort by there is simply no market for their produces and even when there is ready market, they are forced to sell at giveaway prices that does not support their production requirements.
“This actually pricks the heart of the Minister and that is why he has decided to pilot this (Planting for Food and Jobs market), where we can take it (food stuff) from our farmers, be able to pay them an amount that will keep them in farming and the consumer also be able to purchase some food stuff at affordable prices” Bagbara stated.
“Lesson learnt from here will inform us as to how we can scale-up the initiative. The Minister has also admonished the regional departments of Agriculture to set-up the food or agriculture markets.
“Central Region has taken the lead and the response was so good. All the other regions are there being urged to do same. That is the way to go in the midst of this current situation” the MoFA public relations officer added.
Wilberforce Asare
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