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By Judoemue M. Kollie
The Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) on Monday, August 26, 2024, held its first Agriculture Coordination Committee (ACC) meeting, after several months of dormancy.
The objective of the meeting was to bring together various sub-sectors, farmer’s organizations, and development partners to discuss the unfolding achievements and challenges within the agricultural sector.
The meeting was organized by the Division of the Agricultural Sector Coordination Committee which falls under the Department for Planning and Development at the MOA.
This Division is the catalyst between the MOA and development partners operating in the agricultural sector working to coordinate agricultural development activities to ensure that they are aligned with national development goals.
The meeting underscored the need to reawaken the regular sectors’ coordination meeting which had been dormant for several months.
Deputy Agriculture Minister for Planning and Development, Mr. David Akoi who welcomed the participants at the meeting on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah stressed the need for effective coordination for the smooth implementation of the National Agriculture Development Plan (NADP).
Mr. Akoi said that the presence of the participants was an indication of the commitment to driving the plan within the next five years.
“I’m happy today by the fact we have a very good attendance which shows that we are ready to move agriculture to the next level. We want to make sure that we align all developments for agriculture with the NADP,” he informed the gathering.
He cautioned that the Ministry does not want to have programs and projects for agriculture that will not be accounted for.
Speaking earlier, the Director for Sector Coordination, Mr. Peter D. Gbawoquiya pointed out that the Department exists to ensure effective coordination among the stakeholders, and as such the need to reactivate the meeting can’t be overemphasized.
He said that the purpose of the reactivation processes was to ensure the sustainability of the works of the sector.
Mr. Gbawoquiya called for the active participation of all sectoral heads and their members in providing regular data that will resonate decisions for the transformation of the sector.
He said the sub-sectors have been divided to various sub-sectors working groups that will be responsible for meeting regularly to discuss issues with the Ministry.
Meanwhile, during the meeting, participants outlined some challenges that are very pivotal to address for the advancement of the agricultural developments.
Some of the issues outlined include the provision of financial assistance, improvement in extension delivery services, and provision of more inputs among others.
