Farmers demand timely release of subsidized fertilizer

Government reneged on its promise to provide 180,000mt subsidized fertilizer and seed to crop farmers in 2014 crop season even though it was captured in the 2014 budget statement.

In the 2015 budget it has been repeated again. Government will supply 180,000mt subsidized fertilizer and seed to crop farmers in 2015 crop season.

In view of this, government has started the process of procuring 180,000mt of fertilizer to be supplied to farmers at subsidized prices by advertising in the national dailies.

At an agriculture stakeholders meeting initiated by SEND-GHANA with support from OXFAM in Ghana as part of its GROW Campaign held at Abokobi in the Ga East District on 20 February, farmers argued that, the timely release of subsidized fertilizer is critical to their farming activities.

According to them, most often the fertilizer arrives late at a time that they don’t need it. 

“We are therefore are asking government to ensure that, the subsidized fertilizer is released on time to enable us apply it at the right time, they urged.

Felix Nii Ayi Hammond, the Director of Agriculture at the Ga East District believes that, farmers stand to gain if it is released it on time.

In his 2015 State of the Nation Address, the President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama reiterated government’s plan to distribute 180,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer.

The subsidized fertilizer according to him is expected to ensure food security and also help farmers get appreciable returns on their investments.

Source-SEND-GHANA