Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta says government catered for 7,500 students in Special Schools by providing feeding grants and capitation grants to all public basic schools across the country.
Presenting the 2024 Budget Statement and Economic Policy Document to Parliament on November 15, 2023, Mr. Ofori Atta stated that increased enrolment and learning outcomes of 3.8 million pupils have propelled government to invest GH¢3.6 billion in the School Feeding Programmes.
He said under the School Feeding Programme, Government invested over GH¢740 million to feed 3.8 million pupils, one hot meal a day in over 10,000 public basic schools.
According to him, in 2024, government will continue to provide meals to students in order to increase enrolment in the various public basic schools.
“In 2024, the Programme will continue to provide meals to enhance basic school enrollment,” he said.
Planting for Food and Jobs
Mr. Ofori Atta further stated that the government’s flagship programme, the Planting for Food and Jobs (PfJ) initiative will focus on poultry production in order to reduce the heavy reliance on imports in the country.
He maintained that PfJ has a special focus on poultry to address the heavy reliance on imports.
Also, fifteen (15) anchor farmers and 500 out-growers in 5 regions (Ashanti, Greater Accra, Bono, Bono East and Eastern regions) will be selected to produce 65,000 MT of broilers in 2024.
He continued to say PfJ is seeking to also improve the supply and utilisation of high-quality inputs, facilitate credit guarantees for Aggregators to procure improved seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides and supply them on zero-interest credit terms to vegetable farmers in the immediate and short-term.
This according to him is to aid in improving the supply of locally produced food and vegetables in the country.
“The condition and capacity of existing warehouses will be improved to enhance the condition and capacity in storing bumper harvest and maintaining price stability.” He continued.
An engagement with Onion Producers and Importer prior to the 2024 Budget revealed that in 2022, demand for onions was 314,337 MT, while the local production was 178,492 MT.
Stating further, he said the national demand for tomatoes in 2022 was estimated to be 1,257,348 MT, while local production stood at 468,280 MT.
He mentioned that under the Economic Enclaves Project (EEP), government is complementing the Planting for Jobs (PfJ) 2.0
With this, priority has been given to securing and developing lands to offer security of tenure for large-scale agricultural investments.
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Source: Anthony Sasu Ayisadu
