Farmers Appeal For Subsidies

Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) has appealed to government to subsidise the cost of inputs for them to produce enough food, as  so as to arrest the looming food crisis currently facing the world.
     

The President of the PFAG, Mr Mohammed Adams Nashiru made the call at the weekend at a meeting held by the farmers in Nyariga, near Bolgatanga during a forum to brainstorm on pertinent issues facing farmers and to help address them.
     

'It is high time we take over our own destiny into our hands by way of producing for own consumption rather than depending on donors' food aid. Food aid is good but let us remember that food aid is only a short term measure,' he added.
     

While commending the many government interventions put in place for farmers including the importation of tractors, Youth in Agriculture, Presidential Special Initiatives on oil, cassava, cotton and salt, Mr Nashiru said the views and concerns of Peasant farmers who provided the bulk of the country's foods needs must be duly considered and implemented for increased food production.
     

Mr Nashiru appealed to Government to rehabilitate the existing irrigation projects in the country particularly in the three northern regions and create more for an all-year production of food.
     

He asked the international community to stop attaching conditionalities to assistance given to developing countries including Ghana.
     

The Bolgatanga Municipal Mobilising Officer of the PFAG, Mr Asuah Abdulai Baba stated that the Association with the membership of seven was very strong and proactive in its dealings and would continue to champion the interest of farmers, especially in relation to unfair trade policies.  He appealed to Government to reduce the current price of fertilizer which had been increased from GH¢25.00 to GH¢35.00.