The Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana acknowledges the government’s efforts to provide relief to affected farmers affected by the recent dry spell.

The announcement made by the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Hon. Bryan Acheampong (PhD), on the issue of distributing food grants to over 800,000 farmers affected by the dry spell in the northern and middle belt of the country would have been a good solution in our estimation if a more sustainable and long-term approach is proposed to address the root causes of food insecurity in the country when there are such and other situations arise.

Haven considered the policy carefully as a Chamber and digging deep into the wide range of membership and experience in this field, we think that government should take steps to do the following:

First, Expand Existing Dams for Dry Season Farming
Through the provision of funds to expand existing dams. This action will enable farmers to engage in dry season farming, reduce reliance on seasonal rainfall for cropping and so on.

This will not only ensure food availability throughout the year but also improve farmers’ livelihoods in the form of enhanced but sustainable incomes. In addition to this, government should also procure and supply irrigation pumps, drip lines, water pipes, and sprinklers, and other relevant accessories to be supplied to affect areas for use. This will enhance food production during dry seasons and promoting self-sufficiency in productivity.

Secondly, the chamber suggests that government should Reduce Interest Rates and Debt Repayments burdens
By engaging banks, financial institutions, and agro-input importers to reduce interest rates and debt repayments modes on these affected farmers. This will alleviate farmers’ of the financial burdens emanating from loans and facilities they have contracted to embark on their business activities.

It is believed that the funds from the reduced burdens can enable the farmers to reinvest in their farms to make up the short fall that this situation has brought about. The end outcome of this action is that, it will lead to increased productivity and food security around the country.

Again, we urge government to establish a National Agriculture Social Protection Mechanism. Government can do this by developing a 10-year policy brief which spells out a well-documented and coherent Agriculture Social Protection Intervention Mechanism with a deliberate integration and development of a comprehensive program to drive socio-economic protection for farmers in Ghana. The Chamber strongly belief that by integrating these components and implementing the proposed strategy, Ghana can establish a robust Agriculture Social Protection Intervention Mechanism to protect and empower its farmers to face the future with well thought out solutions when situations like this arise.

Another key step government can take is to Address the Root Causes of Food Insecurity in the country especially those causes which are linked with climate change. It is our view that climate change has exacerbated food insecurity in Ghana, particularly in the northern regions.

Research has shown that adopting climate-resilient agricultural practices, such as dry season farming and mulching, can improve household nutrition and food security. We urge the Ministry to adopt a comprehensive approach that addresses the underlying causes of food insecurity some of which are Galamsey, non-availability of drought resistant seeds, poor funding of farmers and others rather than providing temporary relief.

Fifthly, we urge government to establish a National Agriculture Risk Management Agency.

This agency would serve as a proactive measure to prevent and mitigate risks, ensuring the sector’s resilience and stability and sustainability anytime (in good or bad season).

As a supporting measure an Agriculture Emergency Preparedness Strategy should be commissioned for Ghana. These two systems and structures are crucial for the country’s agricultural sector development. By establishing these forward-looking agency and strategy (National Agriculture Risk Management Agency and an Agriculture Emergency Preparedness Strategy), Ghana can ensure a resilient and sustainable agricultural sector, better equipped to manage risks and respond to emergencies.

Lastly, we wish to reiterate that research shows that the adoption of improved agricultural technologies can increase productivity and income for farmers.

In conclusion, the Chamber wishes to pose the following questions for clarity:
i. What level of technical planning went into and led to this decision of government?

ii. How does this distribution align with the overall food security and agricultural development strategy for Ghana?
iii. What criterions were used to identify the 800,000 farmers, and how will the grants be distributed fairly and efficiently?

iv. How will this short-term solution address the long-term effects of climate change and agricultural productivity in Ghana?

Is the distribution of food grants within the Ministry’s role and mandate, or should other agencies be involved?

Conclusion/Call to Action
We call on the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to reconsider its approach and adopt sustainable solutions that promote food security, productivity, and resilience.
It is the Chamber’s hope that as a key stakeholder, our suggestions and recommendations will be integrated into the solutions being offered by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA).

Signed
Anthony Kofituo Morrison
Chief Executive Officer
Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana
+233540742111
[email protected]