Peasant Farmers in Kassena-Nankana demand ready markets to curb post-harvest losses
According to him, the lack of reliable markets has become the most pressing challenge confronting farmers in the municipality.
The Kassena-Nankana Municipal Chapter of the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) has called on government and key stakeholders to urgently create ready markets for their farm produce to prevent escalating post-harvest losses.
Speaking on the Big Mike Breakfast Show on Tuesday, March 3, the Municipal Secretary of the Association, John Achonga, stressed that providing a conducive environment for farmers remains the surest way to sustain agricultural production in the area.
According to him, the lack of reliable markets has become the most pressing challenge confronting farmers in the municipality.
“The major challenge we face now is the lack of market for our products. We have rice, maize, sorghum and other produce lying in the fields without buyers.” he said.
Achonga lamented the hardships farmers endure throughout the production cycle, including the high cost of farm inputs, expensive labour, and unpredictable weather conditions.
He noted that after navigating these challenges to ensure a successful harvest, farmers are left frustrated by poor market access.
The Municipal Organiser of the Association, Raymond Welaga Allou, attributed the situation partly to the influx of foreign rice and other imported food products, which he said continue to enjoy patronage among consumers.
He urged government to introduce innovative policies that promote the consumption of locally produced food and protect the interests of smallholder farmers.
“We are appealing to government to absorb our produce through the school feeding system and in senior high schools. It should be made compulsory to use only locally produced rice in schools,” he proposed.
Allou emphasised that farmers are not seeking excessive profits but merely the opportunity to recover their production costs and remain in business.
“We are not chasing big money. We just want to cover our costs and be able to go back to the farm next season. How do we survive when a bag of maize sells for less than GH¢300, while a bag of fertiliser costs more than GH¢400?” he questioned.
While commending government for making fertiliser available to members of the Association at reduced prices, the farmers insist that more decisive action is needed to address surplus produce and secure stable markets.
They maintain that without immediate intervention, many farmers may be forced out of production, threatening food security and livelihoods within the municipality.
Mike 105.3FM | Navrongo | David Adapuna
