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Farmers
appeal to government for seeds
Accra, July 23, Ghanadot/GNA - The National Farmers and
Fishermen Award Winners Association of Ghana (NFFAWAG) on
Monday appealed to government to assist them with inputs and
finance to enable them re-crop in the minor season following
the failure of the rains in the major season.
Mr Philip Abayori, President, NFFAWAG, told a press
conference in Accra that farmers had prepared their lands
for re-cropping but had no money to continue.
"Our farmers are ready despite all the risks that bedevil
the agricultural sector to re-cultivate their fields with
short duration crops such as cereals and legumes as an
emergency to augment the losses they have incurred and also
to ensure food security," he said.
Mr Abayori called on government to supply farmers with
inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, agro-chemicals.
"We are also requesting the Ministry of Food and Agriculture
to fully support individual farmers with mechanised
boreholes, small dugout dams, water pumping machines and
accessories to serve as a remedy to the persistent drought
and bad weather conditions that affect our agricultural
sector," he said.
Mr Abayori said the request was being made because farmers
who responded to the first rains in early April, by
preparing and cropping their lands in anticipation of
further rains were disappointed.
He held that about 60 per cent of the population depended on
agriculture for their livelihood and that if nothing serious
was done about the situation hunger and poverty was ahead of
all.
"Currently Agricultural labour has declined by 50 per cent.
All the young able-bodied men and women in the Agricultural
sector have left for the urban centres in search of greener
pastures.
"This, as you all are aware, is due to the unfavourable
weather conditions coupled with unfair agricultural
commodity and inputs trading practices and inadequate
finances," he said.
Citing the case of fertilizer, he said it was sold at
GH(18.00 in some parts of the country and GH(24.00 in other
parts, although "the same crop are produced and sold at the
same prices".
Mr Abayori said the unfortunate aspect about undertaking
farming in recent times was the reluctance of financial
institutions to lend to the farmers.
"The only financial institution in the country that
continues to support the agricultural sector and farmers
over the years is the Agricultural Development Bank-ADB.
"The bank has consistently supported farmers despite the
numerous problems confronting us," he said.
GNA
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