The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) has called on the Government to immediately implement the proposed rice import quota policy to help address the growing rice glut and protect local farmers from mounting losses.
The Association said although it welcomed the government’s decision to introduce a rice import quota system to boost demand for locally produced rice, delays in implementation could undermine efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production.
A statement issued by PFAG and signed by Mr Douglas Annor, the National President, said more than 90 per cent of rice farmers across major rice-producing regions were currently holding significant unsold stocks despite several policy interventions announced by the Government.
It warned that many farmers were threatening to abandon rice cultivation ahead of the next farming season unless immediate measures were taken to help them market their produce.
The PFAG described the situation on the ground as alarming, noting that while Ghanaian farmers had produced large quantities of quality rice, the market continued to be dominated by imported rice.
According to the Association, the influx of imported rice, coupled with widespread smuggling across the country’s borders, was undermining the competitiveness of local rice and discouraging farmers.
The statement also expressed concern over the inability of the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) to effectively purchase locally produced rice despite a directive from the President to support farmers through local procurement.
The PFAG said the failure of NAFCO to act as a buyer of last resort had deepened the crisis and weakened confidence among farming communities.
The Association therefore urged the Government to immediately commence full implementation of the rice import quota policy and impose a six-month moratorium on rice imports to allow existing local stocks to be cleared.
It further called on the National Security apparatus to intensify efforts to combat rice smuggling at all border points, describing the practice as economic sabotage against Ghanaian farmers.
The PFAG also advocated a legal framework requiring all government institutions, including schools, hospitals, prisons, security agencies and state-owned enterprises, to procure only locally produced rice and other staple foods.
The Association proposed that farmer organisations be engaged to aggregate and supply produce directly to public institutions to ensure compliance with the policy.
It further appealed for a comprehensive review of NAFCO’s operational mandate, financing arrangements and procurement processes to improve its effectiveness in supporting local farmers during periods of market surplus.
The PFAG also called for the establishment of a price stabilisation fund for rice and other strategic crops, as well as investments in storage facilities, milling infrastructure and market linkage systems to reduce post-harvest losses.
The Association noted that the market challenges were not limited to rice, as producers of cassava, maize, yam, soybean and cowpea were facing similar difficulties.
It therefore urged the Government to develop a comprehensive Agricultural Market Stabilisation Policy to protect farmers, strengthen food security and ensure sustainable growth across all major agricultural value chains.
