EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PLANTING FOR FOOD AND JOBS PROGRAMME ON FOOD SECURITY IN KASSENA NANKANA MUNICIPAL
Abstract
Purpose of the Study: To explore the effectiveness of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) initiative on food security in Kassena Nankana Municipal, introduced by Ghana in 2017 to ensure self-sufficiency, provide employment opportunities, and raise awareness of the importance of farming.
Statement of the Problem: The PFJ initiative was launched to address significant challenges in Ghana’s agricultural sector, aiming to boost food security and reduce poverty. Despite its benefits, the PFJ program faces several implementation challenges, such as uneven distribution of input points, inadequate seeds and fertilizers due to smuggling, erratic rainfall, political interference, and logistical issues.
Methodology: The study adopted a descriptive research design using a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, and focus group discussions. Simple random sampling selected farmers, while purposive sampling targeted key informants. Data were analyzed using SPSS v20 and presented through percentages, charts, and tables.
Findings: The study revealed that farmers are somewhat aware of the PFJ packages, with significant participation from all major stakeholders. The number of Agricultural Extension Agents, including NABCOs, increased significantly. The municipality became food-secure due to the PFJ program, which also significantly improved food security, reduced unemployment, and alleviated poverty. However, challenges such as uneven input distribution, inadequate seeds and fertilizers, erratic rainfall, political interference, and logistical issues were identified as impediments to the program's success.
Recommendations: To address these challenges, a holistic and multidimensional approach is needed. This includes ensuring even distribution of input points, minimizing political interference, fostering an evaluation culture, increasing investments in the agricultural sector, enhancing inter-sector cooperation and collaboration, improving access to affordable financing for Farmer-Based Organizations (FBOs), and developing a robust administrative statistics system to track progress and outcomes effectively
Keywords: Planting for Food and Jobs, Exploration, Effectiveness, Food Security, Agricultural Extension Agents.
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