By Bernice Bessey
GHANA’S National President of Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) says they are not benefiting from government subventions especially the fertilizer subsidy meant to help the rural farmer, since some agencies responsible for distribution of the commodity are diverting it outside the country.
According to the farmers’ group, some companies also hauled the product after sometime when it was in shortage, then turn to sell it in exorbitant price.
The president of PFAG, Abdul-Rahman Mohammed said the situation could only be curtailed if government leaves distribution of fertilizers to farmer based groups, as they know members of the association.
PFAG president made the observation when delivering a speech on Africa year of agriculture and food security in Accra.
Worse of the issue is that when soft loans are granted to farmers, those in charge of the funds do not give them the full amount and when the time comes for repayment, the loan officers beckoned them to report to government that they did not make any profit, so therefore they cannot pay, he stated.
He also condemned that assertion that Ghanaian farmers could not produce enough food to feed the population, adding “if we are given the requisite support, we can produce and feed our people and even export”.
Counting numerous problems facing the agriculture sector, Mr. Mohammed indicated that market accessibility had been the aged-long challenge that has crippled most rural farmers from selling their produce.
Also, he said government inability to embark on the buffer stock project to save farmers from post-harvest losses have rendered food producers behind the imaginary line.
Abdul-Rahman Mohammed said youth unemployment would continue to be on the rise, as opportunities in the agric sector lies unexplored by government to provide jobs for the teeming young people.
Mr. Mohammed who is passionate about the future of agriculture in the country noted that about 60% of farmers in Ghana are aging and the youth are not prepared to venture into food production.
He said government call on youngsters to venture into agriculture would continue to fall on daft ears, if certain provisions and amenities were not put in place to curtail problems associated with agriculture.
Mr. Mohammed said lack of interest in agriculture would have negative effect on food security and Sovereignty in the nation, adding “any nation that cannot control it food cannot control itself”.
Charles Adams, Director at the Ministry Food of Agriculture (MoFA) on behalf of the minster said the fertilizer subsidy plan was meant to encourage fertilizer used by farmers and raise youth interest in agriculture by the youth in agriculture programme.
He said several of the programmes such as Buffer stock, Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA), Expansion irrigation, subsidizing seed etc intended by the government if successfully implemented would bring into reality Ghana Commercial Agriculture Project (GCAP).
African Eye News
