The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) has distributed 4,000 bags of fertilizer to its members in the Northern and Savannah Regions, to boost food production.
The bags of fertilizer were donated to PFAG by the government as part of its Feed Ghana Programme.
Mr Abdul Mateen Alhassan, the Northern and Savannah Regional Focal Person, PFAG, who briefed the Ghana News Agency during the distribution to the PFAG members, said the intervention had come at a critical time when farmers were actively engaged in crop production.
Mr Alhassan said “The timely supply of fertilizer will undoubtedly improve crop yields, increase food production, strengthen household food security and improve the livelihoods of thousands of smallholder farmers.”
He expressed appreciation to the government and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture for the confidence reposed in PFAG, to coordinate the distribution of fertilizer to farmers in the regions.
He encouraged the government to continue working closely with recognised Farmer-Based Organisations (FBOs) such as PFAG in implementing agricultural interventions.
He said “FBOs have well-established structures at the community level and are better positioned to identify genuine farmers and ensure that agricultural inputs reach the intended beneficiaries efficiently and transparently.”
He appealed to the government to strengthen the Department of Cooperatives by providing it with the necessary resources to register and support more farmer groups and cooperatives across the country.
He emphasised that “A stronger cooperative system will create an additional and reliable channel for the distribution of agricultural inputs and services, while promoting accountability and improving farmers’ access to government’s programmes.”
Mr Alhassan further urged the government to pay attention to the marketing of farm produce, saying “As farmers increase production under the Feed Ghana Programme, there is an urgent need for government to facilitate access to stable and remunerative markets and ensure fair prices for agricultural produce.”
He added that “Increased production must be matched with profitable markets so that farmers can recover their investments, improve their incomes and remain motivated to produce more.”
He reaffirmed PFAG’s commitment to partnering with the government and all stakeholders to promote sustainable agriculture and national food security.
