BTA Admin The government’s recent move to give food grants to over 800,000 farmers suffering by the protracted dry period has been acknowledged by the Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana.
Though Agriculture Minister Bryan Acheampong‘s emergency aid addresses immediate needs, the Chamber has urged for a longer-term, more sustainable approach to address the root causes of food poverty.
The Chamber provided a thorough response that included important suggestions for the administration. Initially, it promotes the enlargement of current dams to facilitate farming during the dry season. The Chamber proposes that farmers should boost year-round agricultural output and lessen their dependency on seasonal rainfall by improving water infrastructure.
In order to increase production in drought-prone areas and consequently increase food supply and stabilize rural incomes, the proposal calls for the purchase and distribution of irrigation equipment, such as drip lines, sprinklers, and pumps.
Second, in order to lessen the burden of debt on impacted farmers, the Chamber is pleading with the government to collaborate with financial institutions.
It makes the case that farmers would be in a better position to reinvest in their businesses if they could negotiate lower interest rates and modified repayment plans. This in turn can encourage a recovery in productivity and lessen the financial effects of the dry spell.
Third, the Chamber advocated for the establishment of a National Agricultural Social Protection Mechanism. It proposes a 10-year policy framework to provide long-term support to farmers during times of crisis, assuring ongoing food production and economic stability.
According to the Chamber, these ideas would assist to strengthen the agricultural sector’s resilience, reduce its sensitivity to climate hazards, and improve the country’s overall food security.
