Last updated on Friday, 12th March, 2010, at 10:27am
Rice farmers appeal to government for help
By Abdul Karim Naatogmah/Citifmonline.com | Wed 03rd February, 2010 16:33 GMT

Government’s quest to enhance Ghana ’s food security through the block farming and youth in agriculture programmes is making some inroads in the Northern Region as farmers can boast of bumper harvest this year.

 
Citi News has over the weeks visited some farmlands in Nasia, Gushegu, Savelugu, Damongo and Bimbila just to mention a few and can confirm that some significant gains have been made particularly in the area of rice cultivation in Northern Region.
 
Speaking to Citi News at each instance, some farmers particularly youth groups that were supported with farm machinery and other inputs to go into large scale farming commended government for creating jobs for them in the agric sector.
 
However, beneficiaries of the block farming project told Citi News they are encountering some major challenges.
 
At a stakeholder meeting with the authorities of the Northern Regional directorate of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Mr. Prince Mahamadu Mahama, Acting Regional Chairman of the Rice Growers Association said government’s decision to buy a bag of paddy rice from the farmers at Gh 27 cedis could affect production in the years ahead.
 
He added that there hasn’t been any organized body to buy their produce and said this development could affect the potential of expanding the block farming project to enhance Ghana ’s food security.
 
Mr. Prince Mahama therefore appealed to government for that matter the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to create marketing opportunities for members of the Rice Growers Association.
 
Alhaji Gilbert Seidu Iddi, a senior Lecturer at the faculty of Agriculture of the University for Development Studies Nyankpala campus assured the farmers of government’s preparedness to address their concerns.
 
He also said plans were afoot by government to import enough farming machinery from Thailand to expand the numerous programmes established to modernize the nation’s agric industry.
 
Latest Comments
Posted by Don Williams, Kumasi
@ 08:51:36am on Saturday 06th February, 2010
Farmers Appeal.
i hope as a youth i need to make available my God given talent to help farmer from their problem.the youth must take their destiny into our their own hands.