Government launches emergency measures to support farmers amidst severe dry spell.

The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, has outlined several key interventions to support Ghanaian farmers and stabilize the country’s food system following a recent dry spell. Among the major initiatives is the distribution of 118,000 metric tons of fertilizers and over 5,000 metric tons of seeds to smallholder farmers nationwide.

Addressing a press conference in Accra on Tuesday, October 2, Minister Acheampong announced the government will begin distributing food grants to over 800,000 farmers in the eight most drought-affected regions starting from October 10. In addition, poultry farmers, through their respective associations, will receive support in the form of feed and vaccines to help sustain their operations during the crisis.

Ghana’s agricultural sector faces a potential crisis due to the severe drought, which threatens the livelihoods of over 928,000 farmers and endangers national food security. Nearly half of the country’s 1.8 million hectares of farmland has been affected, with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture estimating a GHS 3.5 billion loss in farmer investments and potential revenue losses as high as GHS 10.4 billion.

To combat these challenges, the government has launched an emergency relief package, which includes a temporary ban on the export of key grains, cash transfers to impacted farmers, and a significant grain import initiative. The Minister highlighted that all distributions of inputs and grants would be tracked through the Ghana Agriculture and Agribusiness Platform (GhAAP) to ensure transparency and accountability.

Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam previously disclosed that mitigating the potential food crisis could cost the government up to $500 million. To date, $160 million has been secured to support farmers and protect food security.

As part of its efforts, the government has implemented a temporary ban on the export of grains such as maize, rice, and soybean. “This ban is essential to safeguard our food supply and protect the interests of our farmers,” Minister Acheampong stated. “We must prioritize domestic needs during this crisis.”

To offset any negative impact from the export ban, the government is also initiating a program to purchase existing grain stocks from farmers. Additionally, it plans to tap into the ECOWAS Grain Reserve and work with the private sector to import up to 300,000 metric tons of maize and 150,000 metric tons of rice. “We are working tirelessly to secure these imports and support our vulnerable farmers who have lost their crops,” the Minister assured.

The poultry sector is another area of concern, with 26,000 metric tons of poultry feed being imported to help sustain operations. For farmers affected by the drought, the government will provide cash transfers amounting to GHS 1,000 per hectare, targeting the 435,872 confirmed vulnerable farmers. “Our farmers are the backbone of our economy, and we are committed to providing them with the necessary financial assistance during this difficult time,” the Minister concluded.