The government is set to present a bill before Parliament aimed at scrapping or reducing taxes on vehicles and equipment imported for industrial and agricultural purposes.
The proposed legislation, which will be tabled when Parliament resumes sitting, is part of a broader initiative to fulfill President John Mahama’s campaign pledge to eliminate such levies within his first 120 days in office.
According to the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, the bill is expected to ease the financial burden on farmers, lower food production costs, and ultimately drive down food inflation across the country.
He expressed confidence that the measure would significantly strengthen the agricultural sector and contribute to national economic growth.
“It’s being worked on. As soon as Parliament reconvenes, that will be laid for Parliament for approval and it will be handled. If you do that, every farmer wherever you are located in this country will have access to agricultural mechanisation,” the Minister revealed.
In addition to the tax reform, the government plans to roll out 25 farmer service centres nationwide. These centres will function as one-stop shops, providing farmers with access to essential machinery, inputs, and support services. Equipment such as tractors, combine harvesters, and ploughs will be made available, even on credit, with repayments made post-harvest through crop yields.
“We are going to have tractors there, we are going to have combine harvesters, plowers and all the equipment that the farmers will require for their farming activities at the centre. Then we have the improved seeds, we have the fertilisers, then we have the agricultural extension offices on their motorbikes at the centre.”
“So if the farmer goes to the centre and then indicates to the centre that, ‘oh I want tractors for my farming activities’, even if the farmer doesn’t have money the centre will release tractors to go and work for him and then when they harvest, then they take some of the crops to pay off their debt. “ he stated.
Story By: Caris Adjei London
