Prof Stephen Osei, a lecturer at the Faculty of Agriculture, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has called for the adoption of effective agricultural policies to enhance food production.
This, he said, was the surest way to boost foreign exchange earnings, increased food security and guarantee availability of raw materials to feed local industries.
Prof Osei was speaking at a symposium held at the Great Hall of the Kumasi Polytechnic to mark the 20th anniversary of Akate Farms and Trading Company.
"Agricultural Development in Ghana: The Way Forward", was the theme.
He said it was regrettable that the nation, which is predominantly agricultural, continues to rely on food imports including rice, soybean, millet and poultry products.
Prof Osei said to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015 it was pertinent efforts at raising food production are redoubled to help reduce poverty and hunger.
He appealed to the youth to develop interest in farming and urged the government to improve the transportation network, markets, warehousing, processing facilities and irrigation schemes.
Mr Kofi Opoku Manu, Ashanti Regional Minister, said the government was determined to transform the country's agricultural sector through mechanization.
He praised Alhaji Abdul Salam Akate, the 2007 National Best Farmer, for the contribution he is making towards the development of agriculture.
Alhaji Akate, Managing Director of the Akate Farms and Trading Company, started poultry farming in 1989 with 2,300 birds but now has 410,000 birds as well as livestock.
He attributed his achievement to determination, hard work and commitment and the determination to succeed.
Alhaji Akate said the nation must move aggressively towards food self-sufficiency and appealed to traditional rulers to release land for farming.