The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) has sounded the alarm over a persistent grain glut affecting farmers nationwide, describing it as a serious threat to both livelihoods and national food security.
The association revealed that over 200,000 metric tonnes of unsold paddy rice and maize remain from the last farming season, with several rice farms still unharvested. Farmers are also facing challenges such as bird invasions, bushfires, and inadequate harvesting capacity, putting their investments at significant risk.
PFAG warned that the crisis could undermine the government’s Feed Ghana Programme and discourage youth participation in future planting seasons.
Although the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) had earlier announced a GHS 100 million fund to purchase excess produce and set minimum prices for maize, rice, and gari, the association noted that farmers have yet to see any purchases or receive clear information on the districts benefiting from the scheme.
Welcoming the additional GHS 100 million recently announced by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, PFAG called for transparency and prompt implementation.
The association is demanding the immediate publication of all companies, locations, and quantities of grains procured under the initial fund, alongside clear timelines for the new allocation.
PFAG also reiterated calls for legislation requiring state institutions to buy only locally produced rice and maize, tighter border controls to prevent smuggling, and a temporary ban on rice imports until the glut is resolved.
The group urged the government to develop a long-term national strategy to address marketing challenges for all crops to prevent similar crises in the future.
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