The Ministries of Health, Education, Gender, Children and Social protection are to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to purchase the surplus produce of the government’s “Planting for Food and Jobs” programme, a government official has said.

“The government’s procurement power will be used to create demand for food surpluses that will come from the Planting for Food and Jobs Programme,” he said.

“We will be the first port of call for food supply to these institutions. If we don’t have what they request for, we can then give the go ahead for other options,” he added.

He said the move became necessary following the anticipated increase in food production as a result of the programme.

Dr Akoto also noted that the marketing pillar of the programme required that farmers did not lose out even if there was a bumper harvest; hence, the government’s decision to build silos in all 216 metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies.

President Nana Akufo-Addo last month launched the “Planting for Food and Jobs” with a seed capital of GHȻ560 million.

The project is expected to create over 750,000 jobs.

Five main crops which would be cultivated under the project include soya beans, rice, maize, sorghum and vegetables based on five key pillars including the provision of certified fertiliser, seeds, marketing and e-Agriculture, extension service.