The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has unveiled plans to utilize earth-moving equipment under the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) to enhance access to farm roads nationwide. The initiative aims to ease the transport of food produce from farms to communities, reducing post-harvest losses and boosting agricultural productivity.
Addressing journalists in Kumasi on Sunday, June 15, Mr. Opoku emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring these resources are effectively deployed. “We are providing all districts with the necessary financial support to fuel and operate the DRIP machines. These will be used to develop farm access roads, making it easier to transport food without any difficulty,” he stated.
In a strategic move, the government is temporarily halting major rural road construction projects to prioritize the use of DRIP equipment. According to the minister, this decision is designed to maximize the impact of existing resources.
“Last week, some officials were preparing to award new contracts for rural road construction. I intervened because we already have the equipment to do the job. With proper management and adequate fuel supply, these machines can handle the task,” he explained.
The initiative highlights the government’s focus on cost-effective solutions to rural infrastructure challenges. The deployment of DRIP equipment is expected to significantly improve rural connectivity, a vital step toward bolstering the agriculture sector and supporting farmers across Ghana.
