The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has emphasized the importance of establishing school farms in every Senior High School (SHS) across the country. This initiative aims to promote agricultural education, enhance food security, and foster self-sufficiency among students.
According to reports, the government has already begun implementing this initiative, with 129 senior high schools currently cultivating farms under the Feed Ghana Project. The Minister highlighted that this move is part of a broader strategy to integrate practical agriculture into the education system and encourage young people to view farming as a viable career path.
The school farms will enable institutions to produce their own food, significantly reducing dependence on external suppliers while improving both the quality and quantity of meals served to students. Students will take ownership of their schools’ food production, gaining a sense of responsibility and self-sufficiency.
According to the Minister, the initiative has contributed greatly to the volume of the current harvest, with food surpluses being recorded across major production areas. The government expects the programme to instil in students a deep appreciation for agriculture, while equipping them with valuable skills that could lead to future employment or entrepreneurship in the agribusiness sector.
The Presidential Initiative on School Farms Initiative (SFI) aims to transform 15,000 acres across 700 schools, targeting crops like rice and maize to slash Free SHS feeding costs. The initiative also seeks to reduce government expenditure on school feeding by producing food locally while equipping students with hands-on agricultural skills.
The success of this initiative depends on sustained funding, clear guidelines, and cultural campaigns that reframe agriculture as a career of pride. With the right approach, school farms can become dynamic hubs for experiential learning, sustainable agriculture, and food resilience.
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Author: Korkor Anumu
