China’s agricultural transformation offers lessons for Ghana – Experts

Experts are urging Ghana to learn from China's agricultural transformation by maintaining investment and policy consistency, rather than simply copying its technologies. At a Ghana-China Friendship Association roundtable in Accra, experts focused on the principles behind China's agricultural development instead of replicating its technologies.

Mr Wu Jianrong, an agriculture engineer, emphasized that China's transformation stemmed from the comprehensive development of an agricultural system, not a single technology, company, or policy. Ghana should prioritize irrigation to reduce reliance on rainfall and ensure consistent production year-round. Mr Wu also advocated for agricultural mechanization, agro-processing, storage facilities, and technology transfer to reduce post-harvest losses and create jobs.

Dr Abu Sakara, a Development Agronomist, stressed that the key lesson from China is the persistence and continuity of investment in a particular direction. Ghana has often introduced development plans without ensuring their implementation, resulting in a lack of continuity. Dr Sakara called for long-term development plans with clear targets that remain relevant across different governments.

Dr Ishmael Nii Dodoo, Chief Partnership Officer at the 24-Hour Economy Secretariat, highlighted that agriculture is central to the Government's 24-hour economy program aimed at industrialization. Efforts are being made to develop agricultural corridors based on soil characteristics and production potential, improve energy costs, and integrate agriculture with other sectors to reduce production costs and support value addition.

Speakers stressed that while Ghana should not copy China's development model wholesale, it can adapt the principles that have led to China's transformation, including sustained policy commitment, integrated planning, infrastructure development, technology adoption, and profitable agricultural enterprises.