Govt acts to ease dry spell impact on farmers

The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, has announced a comprehensive set of measures aimed at mitigating the impact of the current dry spell on Ghanaian farmers and addressing potential food security risks.

Speaking at a press briefing at the Ministry of Information’s Press Center in Accra, Mr. Acheampong outlined the government’s strategy to support affected farmers and safeguard the nation’s food supply.

Financial and food support

To aid vulnerable farmers, the government will provide financial assistance of GH₵1,000 per hectare to help cover investment losses. In addition, food grants will be offered to ensure that farmers meet their minimum nutritional requirements.

“Government is committed to offering GH₵1,000 per hectare as partial compensation for the losses incurred due to the dry spell,” Mr. Acheampong stated.

Comprehensive Measures

The government’s response includes several key initiatives:

• Temporary Export Ban: A ban on grain exports has been imposed to stabilize the domestic supply.
• Stock Management: Efforts are underway to purchase and store grains from farmers.
• Procurement of Essentials: The government is procuring grains and poultry feed to support local production.
• Cash Transfers and Food Grants: Financial support will be provided directly to affected farmers.
• Input Support and Technical Assistance: Farmers will receive fast-maturing seeds, fertilizers, and technical support for soil moisture conservation.

The dry spell has impacted over 980,000 farmers, affecting approximately 1.8 million hectares of farmland, with estimated losses around GH₵22.2 billion. These regions contribute about 62% of the country’s annual grain supply.

Irrigation and Long-Term Solutions

Mr. Acheampong emphasized the need for sustainable solutions, including the provision of irrigation systems to support year-round farming. The government plans to allocate funds to complete 13 irrigation projects under the Agriculture Economic Enclaves Programme, along with other irrigation initiatives.

“We will mobilize the necessary resources to complete these vital irrigation projects and enhance water management for future resilience,” Mr. Acheampong said.

Funding and oversight

Finance Minister Dr. Amin Adam announced that GH₵8 billion has been allocated to address the crisis. This includes cash transfers, food relief, and other support measures. The funding will come from a combination of the contingency fund (GH₵2.5 billion), support from development partners (GH₵2.4 billion), and contributions from the World Bank.

A technical task force, comprising development partners and the Ministries of Finance and Food and Agriculture, will oversee the distribution of relief items to ensure transparency and fairness.

Security measures

Defense Minister Dominic Nitiwul assured that security measures have been intensified across borders to prevent the smuggling or illegal export of grains. These comprehensive measures reflect the government’s commitment to mitigating the immediate impacts of the dry spell while working towards long-term solutions to enhance agricultural resilience and ensure food security in Ghana.