By: Marvin Cato | HGP Nightly News |
Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha met with residents and farmers in Linden on Saturday, outlining a series of new agricultural initiatives to expand food production and strengthen economic opportunities across Region Ten.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Mustapha highlighted the growing importance of agriculture in the mining town, noting that the government has already invested heavily in the sector. He pointed to the recently established state-of-the-art hydroponic facility, which is engaging young people in modern farming. He reinforced President Irfaan Ali’s goal of increasing youth and women’s participation, aiming for at least 38 percent representation.
The Minister also emphasized the need for Linden’s agro-processing facility to operate daily, stating that consistent production will help farmers move beyond raw commodities into value-added products.
According to Mustapha, several major companies have expressed interest in partnering with the ministry, but farmers must scale up production to meet future demand.
For years, the political opposition has criticized what it described as government neglect of Region Ten’s agricultural potential, making diversification a central focus of its recent campaign. Critics argue that agricultural expansion—especially outside traditional regions—is essential as food prices rise and global supply chains shift.
Mustapha, however, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to Region Ten, announcing plans to increase access to farmland, provide technical support, and boost milk production in Moblissa to create new income streams for residents.
The Minister urged farmers to take advantage of emerging opportunities and work in partnership with the state as agriculture continues to diversify and expand.
