A Non Governmental Organization, SEND-Ghana is predicting a total collapse of rural agriculture in the country if government does not reconsider its decision on the removal of subsidy on farm inputs such as fertilizer.
The organization is much concerned about the three regions of the north where subsistence farming is the economic main stay of rural dwellers.
SEND-Ghana’s Programmes Manager, John Nkaw has therefore reiterated calls on government to restore the subsidy on farm inputs to sustain rural agriculture.
He exclusively spoke to Citi News on the sidelines at the official launch of an alternative policy document produced by Tamale Based Diamond Fm meant to serve as a guide to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) in the areas of planning and programming.
[contextly_sidebar id=”debbWbhJtSkmIPikogBx5i1GZ91mKgZm”]He said, “We are demanding that government takes proactive steps for the next farming season to reintroduce the fertilizer subsidy programme because the withdrawal of the subsidy has in many ways negatively impacted on women.”
John Nkaw explained, “Women in these meetings have reported that they have not being able to procure fertilizer and so what that means is that is we are going to have a corresponding effect in terms of the yield that we are going to have and if government is working to improve food sufficiency particularly in this part of our world then it means to reconsider the act.”
John Nkaw anticipated food insecurity in Northern Ghana come the next farming season if government ignored calls for the reintroduction of the fertilizer subsidy.
In 2008, the government of Ghana instituted a country-wide subsidy on 50Kg bags of four types of fertilizer in an effort to mitigate the effect of rising energy and food prices.
Farmers received the subsidy in the form of fertilizer based on region specific vouchers distributed by agricultural extension agents.
The fertilizer subsidy was considered as a unique example of a public-private partnership in which the government consulted heavily with fertilizer importers in the design stage and relied exclusively on the existing private distribution system to deliver fertilizer to farmers.
But in 2012, its sustainability slowed down and subsequently removed following financial constraints.
This situation, according to small holder farmers in the Northern Region is affecting their yield which is negatively impacting on their livelihood.
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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana