PFAG calls for Farmer-centred agricultural innovation to boost food security
PFAG Executive Director Bismark Nortey urges government and stakeholders to invest in affordable irrigation, climate-resilient seeds, mechanisation and better market access to improve farmers’ productivity and strengthen Ghana’s food security.
The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) has called for increased investment in affordable and accessible agricultural innovations to address the challenges confronting smallholder farmers and strengthen food security in the country.
The Association says climate change, limited access to mechanisation, post-harvest losses and poor market access continue to undermine farmers’ productivity, incomes and resilience.
In a press release issued on Friday October 16, to commemorate World Food Day under the theme, “Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow,” PFAG stressed that agricultural innovation must go beyond advanced technology to include practical solutions that respond to farmers’ needs and build on their existing knowledge.
The Executive Director of PFAG, Bismark Nortey said innovations such as improved seeds, irrigation systems, climate information services, digital agricultural extension, soil-health practices, storage and local processing could improve productivity and help farmers adapt to changing climatic conditions.
He, however emphasised that such interventions would have limited impact unless farmers could access and use them at affordable costs while connecting their produce to reliable markets.
PFAG cited the Kassena area of the Upper East Region as one of the communities where prolonged dry spells and erratic rainfall continue to threaten crop establishment, yields and household food security.
It said farmers in the area needed timely climate information, appropriate irrigation systems, drought-tolerant seeds and practical extension services to manage the effects of climate change.
The Association also identified limited access to affordable mechanisation services as a major constraint, noting that inadequate tractors, planters, harvesters, threshers and post-harvest equipment increased labour burdens, delayed farming activities and contributed to losses.
It called for expanded access to farmer-centred mechanisation services, particularly for women and young farmers.
On market access, PFAG noted that tomato farmers in parts of the Volta Region and Ada had experienced market gluts, with increased production not necessarily translating into higher incomes due to inadequate storage and processing facilities, limited structured markets and unreliable buyers.
It added that rice and maize farmers faced similar challenges, while migratory birds continued to devastate rice fields, requiring innovative and sustainable solutions to protect farmers’ investments.
To address these challenges, the Association urged the government, development partners, academia, financial institutions and private-sector actors to invest in affordable irrigation and water-management systems, climate-resilient seeds, agroecological practices and accessible mechanisation services.
It also called for improved storage, processing and supply-chain infrastructure to reduce post-harvest losses, alongside fairer and more structured markets that connect farmers to reliable buyers and protect them from exploitative pricing.
PFAG further urged stakeholders to increase support for women and young farmers in accessing land, finance, technology, training and markets.
The Association called on policymakers and development partners to involve farmer organisations in designing and implementing agricultural programmes, arguing that meaningful participation would ensure interventions reflected local conditions and delivered measurable results.
“Building a food-secure Ghana requires coordinated action by farmers, government, researchers, businesses, development partners and consumers,” Nortey said, adding that consumers could contribute by choosing locally produced food and reducing food waste.
PFAG reaffirmed its commitment to promoting a dignified livelihood for peasant farmers, urging stakeholders to recognise farmers not only as food producers but also as holders of valuable knowledge, entrepreneurs and partners in national development.
Mike 105.3 FM I Navrongo | David Adapuna
