DPs` Response to Agriculture Modernization And Natural Resource

Ghana Consultative Group / Annual Partnership Meeting Thursday 23rd September, 2010 – TECHNICAL SESSION La-Palm Royal Beach Hotel

AGRICULTURE SECTOR PRESENTATION ON CHAPTER FOUR: AGRICULTURE MODERNIZATION AND NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

DP Comments (Accelerated Agricultural Modernisation) • The DPs have worked closely for several years with MOFA and other key stakeholders in the development of the METASIP (Medium Term Agriculture Sector Investment Plan). • Key DPs in the agriculture sector are committed to harmonizing and aligning investments in agriculture, as reflected in the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Program (CAADP) Compact we signed in October, 2009 and the Donor Partner Statement issued at the June 2010 ECOWAS Food Security Conference in Dakar. The METASIP provides a rigorous, detailed investment plan to guide our support to the sector. • Per the 2010 Agriculture Joint Sector Review, we reconfirmed our desire to work together on: – improving farmer access to productive resources and markets, – increasing agricultural productivity, – creating better institutional collaboration between sectors, and – achieving agriculture objectives through an improved METASIP implementation governance structure.

DP Comments (Sustainable Natural Resource Management)

• Development Partners coordinate through the environment sector working group; in July participated in the Environmental Summit in Obuasi where the GoG spelled out its priorities and recently held a mid-term review of broad sector support. • DPs are committed to harmonizing and jointly refining our support in the sector. • Key priorities/issues for focus: – Strengthened intersectoral cooperation between EPA and Minerals and Forestry Commission. – Sustainable forest management – for biodiversity and climate change as well as for local timber supply and local income – Implement laws and support alternative livelihoods for those involved in for illegal chainsaw and illegal mining activites. – Importance of National Climate Change Policy Framework, including its relevance to other sectors.