• About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
  • Login
The Vaultz News
  • Top Stories
  • News
    • General News
    • Education
    • Health
    • Opinions
  • Economics
    • Economy
    • Finance
      • Banking
      • Insurance
      • Pension
    • Securities/Markets
  • Business
    • Agribusiness
    • Vaultz Business
    • Extractives/Energy
    • Real Estate
  • World
    • Africa
    • America
    • Europe
    • UK
    • USA
    • Asia
    • Around the Globe
  • Innovation
    • Technology
    • Wheels
  • Entertainment
  • 20MOBPL2DNew
  • Jobs & Scholarships
    • Job Vacancies
    • Scholarships
No Result
View All Result
The Vaultz News
  • Top Stories
  • News
    • General News
    • Education
    • Health
    • Opinions
  • Economics
    • Economy
    • Finance
      • Banking
      • Insurance
      • Pension
    • Securities/Markets
  • Business
    • Agribusiness
    • Vaultz Business
    • Extractives/Energy
    • Real Estate
  • World
    • Africa
    • America
    • Europe
    • UK
    • USA
    • Asia
    • Around the Globe
  • Innovation
    • Technology
    • Wheels
  • Entertainment
  • 20MOBPL2DNew
  • Jobs & Scholarships
    • Job Vacancies
    • Scholarships
No Result
View All Result
The Vaultz News
No Result
View All Result

Peasant Farmers to Stop Grain & Cereal Production If Gov’t Proceeds with Slash on Subsidy

March 24, 2022
Stephen KotochiebyStephen Kotochie
in Agribusiness
0
Stop Misinforming Ghanaians- Group Of Agri-Stakeholders To Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto

The Peasant farmers’ in Ghana have threatened to stop grain and cereal production if the government proceeds with the 15 percent slash on fertilizer subsidy.

Dr. Nyaaba, President of the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana, disclosed in an interview that peasant farmers all over the country are complaining that the price of seeds, cost of land clearing, and fertilizer prices have increased tremendously, making it difficult for them to afford. If they ever needed fertilizer to boost their yield, the farmers said this was the time, he noted.

The government has announced its intention to cut down on fertilizer subsidy by 15 percent due to the effect of the current global crisis on the Ghanaian economy. The peasant farmers in Ghana have shown a dislike for the government’s initiative.

RelatedPosts

Gates Ag One Awards $35 million To ENSA, Aims To Support Projects To develop Self-Fertilizing Crops For African farmers

AfDB, Government of Canada Announces New Special Fund Facility To Cushion SMEs in Agriculture

There is Growing Unmet Market Demand and Unused Processing-Export Capacity for Soyabean in Ghana– Dep. Agric Minister

“Over the years, the government subsidy on fertilizer was 50 percent, and even with that, most peasant farmers couldn’t afford it. Most peasant farmers do subsistence farming and do not generate enough revenue from the sales of their produce. Farmers needed 1,700ghs in 2021 and 1200ghs in 2020 to farm on an acre of land, but with those years, income levels of farmers were lagging behind the cost of production because of climate-related issues in some parts of the country. The cropping budget for an acre in 2022 has increased to 3300ghs. We used to buy a 25kg NPK fertilizer bag at 50ghs, but it is now sold at 160ghs per the new price list from the Ministry of Agriculture. Soils in the savannah belt are poor, so a lot of fertilizer is needed for the farmer to achieve the required yield.

“The double cost of production will affect the availability of food in 2023 as a nation. Several out-growers, nucleus farmers, and smallholder farmers have disclosed that they would have to reduce their land sizes because maize and rice are high consumers of fertilizers. Farmers around the transitional belt like Wenchi have also revealed that they would instead cultivate maize, yam, and other tuber-related crops since they consume less fertilizer. Farmers in the Northern part of Ghana have also disclosed they will grow sorghum-related crops like beans which are all low consumers of fertilizers.”

Dr. Nyaaba
1.21023133
Dr. Nyaaba

Peasant farmers constitute about 70 percent of the agriculture workforce. So their refusal to desist from cultivating grains and cereals will reduce food production and affect the food security status of Ghana in 2023.

Dr. Nyaaba revealed in an interview that farmers’ production isn’t limited only to fertilizer availability, but the other factors of production should be considered holistically.  He said that farmers in Wenchi have not started crop planting because of the late rains.

“The government’s decision to cut down on fertilizer subsidy to 15 percent would impact maize and rice more because these crops consume a lot of fertilizer. Thus, farmers are shifting from the cultivation of cereals and grains to producing other crops. This would mean a shortage of these commodities. These staple foods are consumed in every Ghanaian household. Ghana currently produces 35 percent of locally produced rice. Still, the Ministry made projections of producing 60 percent of rice this year, but that is likely not to happen. The cut down in grains and cereals production is likely to significantly impact other sectors like the poultry and livestock industry”.

Dr. Nyaaba

Dr. Nyaaba suggested that the government consider the leakages associated with the fertilizer supply under the Planting for Food And Jobs (PFJ).

“Burkina Faso, for instance, does not have any fertilizer subsidy, but the government gives a guarantee to farmers to apply for loans from the government at a 2 percent interest rate. The government should instead provide the fertilizer subsidy to the peasant farmers. In contrast, for those operating on a large scale, the commercial farmers and aggregators, the government should give them guaranteed loans. The government should also try to ensure that the 1District 1Dam project is functioning so that there will be enough water for farmers if the rains fail farmers this year. Similarly, the government should encourage compost making and target domestic fertilizer organizations and give them tax subsidies to produce fertilizer for farmers. This will reduce the cost of importation”.

Dr. Nyaaba

Mr. Edward Kareweh, the Secretary of General Agriculture Workers Union, has also advised that the government should instead set policies that will not cut production regardless of what it’s facing. He further suggested that the government consider building domestic fertilizer plants before the fertilizer crisis gets out of hand.

Edward Kareweh 1 1
Dr. Kareweh

It is simple economics. It is about choices. Agriculture determines the state of health of the people to some considerable extent. It will be suitable for the government to focus on agriculture in these challenging times, says Dr. Edward Kareweh, the Secretary of General Agriculture Workers Union of Ghana.

In contributing to the discussion, Dr. Patrick Asuming, a Development Expert, advised the government not to turn Ghana’s economic crisis into a food crisis because that will be a big blow. He said that the irregularities around the supply process of fertilizer should be looked at rather than the government cutting down on fertilizer subsidy.

READ ALSO: Teacher Trainee Association of Ghana Laments Over Non-payment of Allowances

Tags: Fertilizer SubsidyGAWUMoFAPFAGPFJ

Related Posts

Gates Ag One awards $35 million To ENSA, Aims To Support Projects To develop Self-Fertilizing Crops For African farmers
Agribusiness

Gates Ag One Awards $35 million To ENSA, Aims To Support Projects To develop Self-Fertilizing Crops For African farmers

February 6, 2023
AfDB, Government of Canada Announces New Special Fund Facility To Cushion SMEs in Agriculture
Agribusiness

AfDB, Government of Canada Announces New Special Fund Facility To Cushion SMEs in Agriculture

February 3, 2023
There is Growing Unmet Market Demand and Unused Processing-Export Capacity for Soyabean in Ghana– Dep. Agric Minister
Agribusiness

There is Growing Unmet Market Demand and Unused Processing-Export Capacity for Soyabean in Ghana– Dep. Agric Minister

February 3, 2023
Ghana Launches Its Agribusiness Partnership With EU To Increase Investment
Agribusiness

Ghana Launches Its Agribusiness Partnership With EU To Promote Agricultural Investment

February 1, 2023
African Development Bank Approves $50m and €50m To Develop Agricultural Value Chains, Food security
Agribusiness

African Development Bank Approves $50m and €50m To Develop Agricultural Value Chains, Food security

February 1, 2023
‘Mission 1 For 200’ To Double African Farmers’ Production, To Build Food Systems Resilience In African
Agribusiness

‘Mission 1 For 200’ Aims To Double African Farmers’ Production, Build Food Systems Resilience In African

January 30, 2023

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Previous Post

Cost of Living in Russia Soars by More Than 14%

Next Post

Gov’t Announces 50% Cut In Fuel Coupon Allocations For Political Appointees

Sign up for The Vaultz analytic wire

Get weekly news analysis from top editors at The Vaultz and stay informed on trending economic and business issues from across the globe.
China Says It Was Smeared In Biden’s State Of The Union Address
Asia

China Says It Was Smeared In Biden’s State Of The Union Address

by Comfort AmpomaaFebruary 8, 2023
Low Optimism In Ghana’s Investment Environment
Vaultz Business

Low Optimism In Ghana’s Investment Environment

by Gifty BansahFebruary 8, 2023
Upward Tariff Adjustment And Reclassification Of Bottled Water and Beverage Category, Unfair- AmCham
General News

Upward Tariff Adjustment And Reclassification Of Bottled Water and Beverage Category, Unfair- AmCham

by Angeller AshongFebruary 8, 2023
Oil Giant BP Sees Biggest Profit In 114-Year History
Extractives/Energy

Oil Giant BP Sees Biggest Profit In 114-Year History

by Stephen M.CFebruary 8, 2023
Akufo-Addo Was Not Happy With My Decision To Contest – Kennedy Agyapong
Uncategorized

Akufo-Addo’s Name Should Be In The Guinness Book Of Records – Peter Akwasi Mensah

by Samuel Yeboah OtibuFebruary 8, 2023
Illegal Mining: The Menace Is Shameful, Painful And A National Disaster – Dr Henry Lartey
General News

Illegal Mining: The Menace Is Shameful, Painful And A National Disaster – Dr Henry Lartey

by Emmanuel SarpongFebruary 8, 2023
China Says It Was Smeared In Biden’s State Of The Union Address
Low Optimism In Ghana’s Investment Environment
Upward Tariff Adjustment And Reclassification Of Bottled Water and Beverage Category, Unfair- AmCham
Oil Giant BP Sees Biggest Profit In 114-Year History
Akufo-Addo Was Not Happy With My Decision To Contest – Kennedy Agyapong
Illegal Mining: The Menace Is Shameful, Painful And A National Disaster – Dr Henry Lartey
Snow
FIND OUT MORE

The Vaultz News

Copyright © 2021 The Vaultz News. All rights reserved.

Navigate Site

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Top Stories
  • News
    • General News
    • Education
    • Health
    • Opinions
  • Economics
    • Economy
    • Finance
      • Banking
      • Insurance
      • Pension
    • Securities/Markets
  • Business
    • Agribusiness
    • Vaultz Business
    • Extractives/Energy
    • Real Estate
  • World
    • Africa
    • America
    • Europe
    • UK
    • USA
    • Asia
    • Around the Globe
  • Innovation
    • Technology
    • Wheels
  • Entertainment
  • 20MOBPL2D
  • Jobs & Scholarships
    • Job Vacancies
    • Scholarships

Copyright © 2021 The Vaultz News. All rights reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In