Best farmer calls on government to prioritise local maize production over imports

In a recent visit to the Farmer Pride maize farms in Sissala East Municipality, the 2023 Upper West Regional best farmer, Mr. Sumaila Doho, called on the government to prioritize domestic maize production over imports. Mr. Doho argued that while Ghana possesses the potential to become a maize surplus nation, the country continues to spend significant sums on importing this essential crop.

This continued reliance on foreign maize poses threats to food security and the income of local farmers, he noted. Maize is a key component of traditional Ghanaian meals and a crucial input for the poultry and animal-feed industries, he explained. By importing maize from nations like Argentina, South Africa, and the United States, Ghana is essentially providing financial support to foreign farmers while local producers struggle to find markets for their produce.

The commercial farmer stressed that greater investment in local maize production would keep more money circulating within the Ghanaian economy and enhance the livelihoods of farming families in the major maize-producing regions. Global events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, have exposed the fragility of international food supply chains, particularly when fertilizer and grain prices surge.

Mr. Doho also highlighted how fluctuations in the value of the Ghana cedi can make imported food exceedingly costly. He emphasized that a nation that cannot feed itself cannot genuinely claim independence and urged the government to significantly invest in domestic agricultural production. Mr. Doho proposed measures such as a guaranteed minimum price and market for maize, a fair minimum price announcement by the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) before the planting season, and increased investment in storage and processing facilities.

He also advocated for stronger connections between maize production and related industries to establish dependable markets for farmers.