Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has revealed that the government will require approximately GH¢500 million to address the current oversupply of farm produce, commonly referred to as a food glut.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show, Mr. Opoku emphasized the need for a coordinated, data-driven approach to tackle the challenge, warning that inaction could discourage farmers from reinvesting in agriculture.
“You do not just get up and move into a farm because there is a glut. You need to move there with your technical team to ascertain the amount of farm produce to be procured. From the figures we are receiving, we will need about GH¢500 million to be able to clear it,” he said.
The Minister noted that the Ministry is engaging the World Food Programme and other development partners to explore strategies for managing the glut and preventing similar situations in the future.
“If we are able to deal with it properly, it can encourage our farmers to reinvest in farming because it becomes profitable. But if we don’t act and allow these foods to go to waste, it will be a huge loss of the century, and people will be demotivated to invest in agriculture,” he added.
The government’s intervention forms part of broader measures to stabilize food prices, safeguard farmers’ livelihoods, and promote sustainable agricultural production across the country.