Fix produce markets, reduce input costs – 2019 Best Farmer runner-up urges gov’t ahead of 2027 budget

Hours before delivering the 2027 Budget, a prominent Ghanaian farmer has warned that the industry will fail unless the government intervenes. Alhaji Antiku Abdulai, CEO of Antika Company Limited and 2019 National Best Farmer Awards second runner-up, highlighted several challenges facing Ghanaian farmers. These include low produce prices, high input costs, and a lack of a consistent market for their crops.

Antiku emphasized the need for a comprehensive marketing policy to address the current system's disarray. He stressed that without a reliable means of selling their surplus crops, farmers would have no incentive to return to farming. In terms of input costs, Antiku criticized the existing subsidies as insufficient to make farming economically viable.

He pointed out that while fertilizers receive subsidies, the actual cost remains prohibitive for farmers. Antiku urged the government to take proactive steps to lower the expenses associated with essential inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and certified seeds. Additionally, he expressed concern over the rising costs of ploughing and harvesting, advocating for government support in the form of mechanization.

By providing necessary machinery, Antiku believes that the financial strain on farmers can be significantly alleviated, leading to more sustainable farming practices.