Prof. Irene S. Egyir, Agricultural Economist and the Dean of School of Agriculture at the University of Ghana, has debunked suggestions that Ghana is facing food crisis due to escalating food prices in the country.
In an exclusive interview with the Vaultz News, the former Head of Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness noted that major staple foods are available on the market.
“…There is no food crisis in Ghana; maize, rice, yam, cassava and a lot of imported wheat products are on the market.”
Prof. Irene Egyir
According to the United Nations Food Agency (UNFA) report, Global Commodity food prices hit a decade high in 2021. The Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) food price index, which analyses the most widely traded food items on a worldwide scale, averaged 125.7 points in 2021, the highest level attained since 131.9 points recorded in 2011. The situation is not different from that of Ghana’s, as food prices keep increasing throughout last year.
In view of this, Prof Egyir however, predicted that food prices in Ghana this year will keep increasing till the harvesting season.
“As usual, food prices will rise until harvesting of key staples in August.”
Prof. Irene Egyir
Causes of High Commodity Prices
Highlighting the factors that are contributing to the high commodity prices in the country, Prof Egyir indicated that the unbalance created by production and importation are to be blamed. The experienced lecturer explained that Ghanaians do not produce on a large scale, and the little they produce too is quickly sold due to insufficient storage facilities, thereby driving prices in the market. She asserted that the only way to achieve a balance with stable prices is when import volumes go up.
“Low volume of harvest due to small scale production, with sales concentrated within a few months due to inadequate storage facilities and limited supply from imports. Prices of rice, meat and oils remain stable when imports volumes go up.”
Prof. Irene Egyir
Government Interventions
In a bid to tame the rising cost of food prices and make food available for Ghanaians all year round, the government of Ghana came up with some initiatives to address the situation. One of such initiatives is Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ).
Prof. Egyir moreover lauded the government’s initiative in helping farmers by providing them with inputs for production. However, she bemoaned government’s neglect of the post harvest and processing aspect in the value chain. She also indicated that many farmers did not expand their farms as a result of government’s inability to cater for the postharvest and other inputs.
“Planting for Food and Jobs increase supply of subsidised seed and fertilizer; other inputs of Agriculture such as land preparation, irrigation, weed, pest and diseases management, postharvest and processing were not catered for. Hence, many farm households who could not invest in the other inputs did not venture or expand fields as expected.”
Prof. Irene Egyir
Prof. Egyir therefore, urged the government to continue supporting small holder farmers across the country to ensure food security in the country and encourage large scale production. She also advocated for low taxation on farm inputs to make them affordable for farmers.
“Food security is making food available all the time so government should continue supporting small holders with subsidy, encourage large scale plantation Agriculture with low taxation on plant and equipment.”
Prof. Irene Egyir
The former Head of Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness further called for the government to partner with the private sector to build food factories to boost food production in order to ensure that Ghanaians do not face food crisis as some countries are experiencing.
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