Farmers Cry Over Fertilizer Prices

Chairman of NFFAWAG addressing the media 

Farmers in the country have expressed dissatisfaction with government for not addressing the rise in the prices of subsidized fertilizers for the 2015 farming season.

'It's very interesting that subsidized fertilizers are sold at GH¢89.00 per 50 kg bag and GH¢84.00 per 50kg bag for compound fertilizer and urea respectively,' Chairman of the National Farmers and Fisheries Award Winners Association of Ghana, Davies Korboe, disclosed at a press conference on Wednesday.

According to him, the fertilizer application rate in Ghana is among the lowest in the world.

It is estimated that in Ghana, the application rate is 8kg per hectare compared with 20kg per hectare in Sub-Saharan Africa, 99 kg per hectare in Latin America, 109 kg per hectare in South Asia and 149 kg per hectare in East and South East Asia.

Mr Korboe said any attempt by government to cancel the subsidies would be disastrous since it would worsen the plight of farmers and lead to an increase in food imports.

Even though farmers operate on small-scale, they are the backbone of the country's economy and are doing their part to ensure food security in Ghana, he stated.

The NFFAWAG Chairman said owing to the about 100 percent increase in prices of fertilizers this year, smallholder farmers had failed to purchase the products.

'We were not comfortable when Yara took a unilateral decision to withdraw from the scheme. Yara should have taken the plight of the farmers who have loyally patronized their products over the years into consideration before withdrawing from the subsidy scheme.'

He therefore appealed to Yara to reconsider its decision and return to the scheme or continue to dialogue with government on the issue.

Farmers are currently facing challenges with extension services, mechanization services and climate change, among others. They are appealing to government to pragmatically approach the issues with urgency and make subsidized fertilizer available at affordable prices.

They also want additional incentives to enable them lead comfortable lives to continue to supply the country with food, he added.

BY Daniel Bampoe