"Roots, Tubers, Bananas remain resilient and locally accepted staple crops – Minister"

The Minister said this in a speech read on his behalf by Madam Suweibatu Adams, the Chief Director of the Ministry, at a stakeholder roundtable discussion in Accra.

It aimed to provide a platform for engagement among key stakeholders from government, research institutions, development partners and private sector to deliberate on practical strategies to enhance Ghana’s food systems and promote agricultural transformation.

Dr. Muhammed said the discussions presented a new opportunity termed, “Second Green Revolution for Enhanced RTBs Productivity through Modernised Integrated Breeding led by Ghana for Sub-Saharan Africa.”

Dr. Muhammed said their focus on RTB crops such as cassava, sweet potatoes, yams, potatoes, cocoyam, taro, plantain, and bananas was deliberate and strategic.

“In West and Central Africa, RTBs are not only staple foods but also sources of vital micronutrients and economic empowerment especially for rural women,” he added.

He said however, despite their importance, RTBs faced persistent challenges including low-yielding varieties, pests and diseases, poor soils, and weak market linkages.

“If we are to move from subsistence to surplus, from vulnerability to resilience, we must rethink how we breed, manage, and scale up these crops,” he stressed.

The Minister said the revolution would need modern breeding programs using genomic tools and data, strong policy and institutional backing, private sector involvement for commercialisation, and leadership from African nations with Ghana taking the lead.

“The cost of cereal imports in West Africa alone is nearing $10 billion annually, draining our economies and exposing us to global shocks,” he added.

SOURCE: GNA