Challenges of food availability, policy and implementation and the role of CSIR agricultural sector in science, technology and innovation in Ghana

Abstract

New developmental issues that contributed to the recent increases in food commodity prices globally include new global and national policy initiatives, changes in the global agri-food business due to increasing agricultural costs of production and several other factors. Globally, food-price inflation is socially and politically sensitive because as a basic necessity, its absence results in hardships for many lower income consumers especially in the face of declining annual growth rate in the production of aggregate grains and oil seeds. Projections suggest that food prices are likely to remain high in the next few years with high prices expected to affect most developing country markets. In Ghana, inadequate research/extension linkages have affected food production volumes. The challenge of food availability in Ghana is multifaceted and is a microcosm of the entire Science and Technology (S & T) challenge facing the country. This paper discusses challenges of food availability in Ghana from both national and global perspectives, and the role of CSIR agricultural sector in Science, Technology and Innovation policy and implementation in Ghana. Recommendations of policies and implementation strategies are also discussed