Prioritise smallholder agriculture development; farmers tell gov't

Smallholder farmers have asked government to prioritise the development of the agric sector if it wants to reduce poverty and improve food security in the country.

At a SEND-Ghana sponsored forum at Dodowa in the Shai-Osudoku district, the farmers bemoaned the lack of sustained efforts to assist them in their farming activities, even though they contribute substantially to the national food supply and agricultural Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

They are also demanding that policies and programmes aimed at reducing poverty and food insecurity, and the enhancement of sustainable incomes and livelihoods should be an agric-led activity that accords the highest priority to smallholder agriculture.

Mr. A.C. Akaho of the Shai-Osudoku District Directorate of Agriculture however mentioned poor communication from farmers to other players in the agricultural value chain system is the main challenge facing smallholder farmers in his district.

Alpha Mohammed, a participant smallholder farmer, called on the Shai-Osudoku agricultural directorate to give equal attention to livestock and crop farming.

He said “livestock represents a critical dimension of the livelihood strategies of many poor and disadvantaged people in the district and contributes significantly to the process of agricultural intensification and the sustainability of crop production”.

Mr. Gabby Dakudedzi, Executive Director of Shai Area Progressive Union (SHAPU), called on the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, to provide farmers with modern farming equipment, and other inputs to improve their agricultural productivity.

The forum provided a platform for farmers, agro processors and other players in the agric sector to directly engage officials of the Shai-Osudoku District Assembly and the District Directorate of Agriculture on key findings and recommendations of a research report produced by SEND-Ghana.

The report is titled “Building Resiliency for Upcoming Challenges: The Need to Restore Confidence in Smallholder Farmers”.

Daniel Adotey Akai, Programme Officer, SEND-Ghana said through such fora, the NGO gives voice to smallholder farmers and involve them in the advocacy process to seek solutions to challenges confronting smallholder agriculture in the country.