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Danger looms as drought hits Volta Region rice production.

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The site of a rice farm plagued by drought in the Volta Region.

The Ghana Rice Inter-Professional Body (GRIB) has revealed that rice production in the Volta Region of Ghana faces bleak consequences this year due to ongoing drought conditions which are disrupting production in some parts of the Region.

According to the body, farmers in the Akatsi North and South districts in the Volta Region have been gravely affected by poor rainfall patterns and are likely to lose their entire output for the 2021/2022 season.

“In Ketu South alone, over 700 hectares of rice have been lost to the drought. “The problem covers several areas including Kpoglu, Avalavi, Klenomadi and Avie in Ketu North, Akatsi in Akatsi South, Tongu Districts, Afadzato South District and Hohoe Municipal areas,” the President said.

This comes as a blow to the sector, which is an attempt to wean the country off rice importation by achieving self-sufficiency in production by 2025.

As if that is not enough, the affected farmers will have to wait till next year before they can earn some income.

Speaking to the reporter, President of GRIB Nana Agyei Ayeh II said some members of the farmers reached out to him to ascertain the situation and find a solution to the looming danger.

The President, together with some of the officials of the John A. Kufuor Foundation paid a working visit to the farms, and on their observation, several hectares of rice under cultivation are lost due to climate change and low levels of rainfall in these communities.

The woes of the farmers are further exacerbated by the huge investments they have already made in land preparation, seeds, and fertilizer.

However, the provisional production figures by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) indicate that about 973, 000 metric tonnes of rice were produced in Ghana in 2020. But, this figure could be hard to match in 2021 if the current situation persists.

Nana Agyei Ayeh II revealed that the existing dam structure which was built to harvest water to irrigate the farmlands is in a dire state of disrepair, leaving farmers at the mercy of the harsh weather conditions.

“We cannot continue with rain-fed agriculture. As you can see, this year, farmers have lost their investments simply because the rains failed them.

We would like to appeal to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to provide dugouts for these areas. These will aid in water conservations for the purposes of irrigation in such times like what we facing now” he added.

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GH¢500m needed to tackle food glut – Eric Opoku

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The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku, has disclosed that the government will require about GH¢500 million to address the ongoing oversupply of farm produce, commonly referred to as a food glut.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Monday, November 10, 2025, Hon. Minister stressed the importance of a coordinated and data-driven approach in resolving the issue, warning that inaction could discourage farmers from reinvesting in agriculture.

“You do not just get up and move into a farm because there is a glut. You need to move there with your technical team to ascertain the amount of farm produce to be procured.

“From the figures we are receiving, we will need about GH¢500 million to be able to clear it,” he said.

The Minister revealed that his outfit is in discussions with the World Food Programme and other development partners to explore strategies for managing the glut and preventing future occurrences.

“If we are able to deal with it properly, it can encourage our farmers to reinvest in farming because it becomes profitable. But if we don’t act and allow these foods to go to waste, it will be a huge loss of the century, and people will be demotivated to invest in agriculture,” Hon. Opoku added.

The government’s move forms part of broader efforts to stabilise food prices, protect farmers’ livelihoods, and ensure sustainable agricultural production nationwide.

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Input dealers expect tax exemption on imports on agriculture inputs ahead of 2026 budget reading.

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The agricultural input dealers have expressed a major concern on the tax imposed on the importation of agriculture inputs and machinery to Ghana.

This was revealed when the input dealers expressed their expectations for the 2026 budget hearing that would be read by the Finance Minister at the parliament on 13 November, 2025.

Speaking to Agric Today in an interview, the Managing Director of Callighana (UPL Ghana), Mr. Bernard Buertey Okutu, an input dealer said the major expectation that the input dealers are expecting from the 2026 budget is to exempt taxes on the agriculture inputs and machinery.

Accordinv to him, the import dealers raised concerns to the previous government to abolish the tax but it could not materialised. He therefore beseech the current government to heed to their plea.

He revealed that the tax abolishment on import of agricultural inputs and machinery would dovetail the Feed Ghana Initiative, because with low cost of inputs, farmers would be able to increase production, hence strengthen food security in the country.

He expects the 2026 budget to scrub the import tax on agriculture inputs and machinery to lessen the production cost.

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President Mahama to launch “Nkoko Nkitinkiti” programme on Wednesday in Kumasi

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Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister of Government Communications, has stated that on Wednesday, November 12, President John Dramani Mahama will officially launch the “Nkoko Nkitinkiti” programme in Kumasi.

While details of the programme have not been fully disclosed, it is expected to focus on community development and youth empowerment initiatives in line with the government’s social intervention agenda.

The week will culminate on Thursday, November 13, with the Finance Minister presenting the 2026 Budget in Parliament.

The budget is anticipated to include far-reaching policy initiatives aimed at economic growth, job creation, and social welfare improvements, as well as strategies to strengthen fiscal discipline and resource mobilisation across key sectors.

Felix Kwakye Ofosu described the week as “very important,” emphasising that these events collectively highlight the government’s commitment to accountability, development, and public engagement.

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Agric Minister Calls for Sustainable Agribusiness Transformation at GAAE Annual Conference

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The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku, has underscored the urgent need for Ghana to transition from subsistence farming to a dynamic and sustainable agri-food economy capable of competing globally and ensuring national food security.

Addressing the opening session of the 2025 Annual Conference of the Ghana Association of Agricultural Economists (GAAE) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, on Thursday, November 6, 2025, the Minister said this year’s theme, “Transforming Agri-Food Systems in Developing Economies through Sustainable Agribusiness Development,” reflects one of the biggest economic opportunities facing Ghana today.

He highlighted the central role agriculture continues to play in Ghana’s economy, contributing about 20 percent to national GDP and employing one-third of the workforce, with more than 70 percent of rural households depending on the sector for their livelihoods.

Despite this contribution, the Minister lamented persistent productivity challenges, rising food imports and significant post-harvest losses amounting to as much as 30 percent of output. Ghana’s food import bill currently exceeds US$3 billion annually, largely driven by rice, poultry and processed food imports.

“The challenge before us is not simply to produce more food, but to transform our entire agri-food system — ensuring that the process is profitable, inclusive and environmentally responsible,” he emphasized.

Hon. Opoku noted that Africa’s food and agribusiness market is projected to exceed US$1 trillion by 2030, an opportunity that can only be realised through strong value chains, innovation and investment in sustainable agribusiness.

Policy Direction

The Minister outlined two key government policies aimed at driving the transformation agenda — the Feed Ghana Policy and the 24-Hour Economy Policy.

The Feed Ghana Policy, he said, seeks to strengthen domestic food production through improved seed access, irrigation expansion, mechanisation, post-harvest infrastructure and agro-processing.

Touching on the 24-Hour Economy initiative, the Minister said the policy is designed to boost productivity by supporting continuous operations in food logistics, processing and storage to reduce delays, improve market efficiency and create more jobs.

Role of Academia and Youth

Hon. Opoku called on agricultural economists and researchers to partner government by providing evidence-based frameworks for investment and policy reforms while bridging the gap between research and industry.

He stressed the strategic role of Ghana’s youthful population in modernizing agriculture through digital technologies, innovation hubs and agribusiness entrepreneurship.

Climate and Sustainability

The Minister expressed concern about the worsening impacts of climate change on agricultural production, citing significant crop losses recorded in recent years. He assured that government is prioritising climate-smart agriculture, efficient water management and soil health restoration to build a resilient sector.Partnerships EssentialHe appealed for stronger collaboration among government institutions, the private sector, investors, development partners and academia in driving agri-food transformation.“This conference is more than an academic event — it is a call to action. The decisions we make today will shape the food systems of tomorrow,” he stated.Hon. Opoku thanked the leadership of GAAE for the platform and expressed optimism that engagements from the conference will contribute positively to Ghana’s agricultural growth agenda.

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Callighana donates GH¢50 thousand worth of items to the Ministry of Agric to support the 41st Farmers’ Day Celebration

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Callighana has donated items worth fifty thousand Ghana cedis (GH¢50,000) to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to support Farmers’ Day Celebration.

Callighana, a subsidiary of the global group UPL that involve in importation of agrochemical products, spraying and drip irrigation equipment is committed to supporting farmers to enhance food production to strengthening Ghana’s food system and improve farmers’ livelihood.

The items, 10 mix blowers valued at thirty thousand Ghana cedis (GH¢30,000) and a cheque of twenty thousand Ghana cedis (GH¢20,000), totalling fifty thousand Ghana cedis (GH¢50,000) to support the national level of the Farmers’ Day Celebration.

According to the financial controller of Callighana, Mr. Peter Tetteh, over 20 years in the agriculture space, Callighana has been supporting the gallant farmers.

“Callighana has been in the agric space for more than 20 years and we have always partnered the ministry on most of their events, and for a consistent period, we always add value to agric space and as the partnership we have with the ministry, we always support our gallant farmers to have fruitful celebration when it comes to farmers’ day,” Mr. Tetteh added.

He mentioned that the donation is not only at the national level, but it goes down to the district level where most of the items and money are donated to the farmers to have a fruitful farmers’ day celebration.

He encouraged other input dealers to donate to support the farmers’ day since the future is agric and the country also depends on agric and honouring the farmers would serve as an incentive to produce more.

Receiving the donation, the Minister of Agric, Hon. Eric Opoku commended Callighana for the kind gesture towards the farmers’ day celebration.

“We thank you very much for supporting the celebration of the 41st National Farmers’ Day. I have been in the ministry almost a year now and the records indicate that every year you support this good course, we appreciate your effort,” Minister said.

Speaking to Agric Today, minister emphasised that the donations are for the betterment of the farmers who go through all the difficulties to make food available for the nation.

He commend Callighana for the kind gesture and assured their recognition during the farmers’ day celebration.

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Peasant Farmers Association calls for immediate action to resolve grains glut crisis in the country

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The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) has expressed its greatest concern on the disturbed ongoing grain glut causing severe hardship on the farmers in the country.

In a press release issued by the executives of the association, over 200,000 metric tonnes of unsold paddy rice and maize remain from the last farming season, and many rice farms are still unharvested. Farmers now face threats from bird invasions, bushfires, and limited harvesting capacity, which would jeopardize all their investments, if nothing drastic is done.

According to the association, this situation has the potential to derail government’s Feed Ghana program as it will demotivate several farmers, including the youth, from engaging in any productive farming activity during the next planting season.

“Earlier, the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) announced the release of GHS 100 million to purchase excess produce and set minimum guaranteed prices for maize, rice, and gari. Though these prices were not desirable, it was seen as a positive step, as it represented a better alternative to the prices being offered by middlemen. Sadly, farmers have yet to see and experience purchases of their grains by approved buying companies. To date, there is no information and data on which districts benefited, raising concerns about accountability and transparency”, the association said.

With the swift action taken by the Ministry to release GHS100 million to address the crisis, PFAG commended the Ministry and urges greater transparency and efficiency.

To restore farmers confidence in the government, PFAG demand immediate publication of companies, locations, and quantities of grains procured with the initial GHS 100 million.

• Clear timelines for the commencement of grain purchases under the new GHS 100 million allocation.

• A published list of all approved Licensed Buying Companies, Millers, and Aggregators with their assigned locations for direct farmer engagement.

The PFAG expects that these measures should be quickly deployed and announced immediately to save farmers investment.

The PFAG also reiterates its earlier recommendations for

• Legislation mandating all state institutions—schools, hospitals, security services—to procure only locally produced rice and maize.

• Strengthened border controls to prevent smuggling of inferior rice and a temporary ban on rice imports until the situation stabilizes.

• Coordinated public campaigns by relevant ministries and stakeholders to promote local rice consumption.

Immediate implementation of these measures will alleviate farmer distress and safeguard national food security, as failure to act risks reduced rice production and undermines Ghana’s goal of rice self-sufficiency.

The PFAG further calls on the government and stakeholders to develop a long-term national strategy to address marketing challenges across all crops, including vegetables, cereals, and legumes, to prevent future crises.

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Agric Minister calls for youth-centred investments in agriculture to address rising unemployment

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The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Mr. Eric Opoku has called for urgent, innovative, and youth-driven interventions to address the growing unemployment crisis across Africa, insisting agriculture remains the continent’s most sustainable pathway to prosperity.

Speaking as a guest speaker at the Africa Youth Day 2025 Ministerial Youth Dialogue held at the Accra International Conference Centre, Mr. Opoku highlighted that the continent currently produces nine million unemployed youth every year—capable and willing to work, yet unable to find opportunities.

“If the situation is not addressed, the future is calamitous,” he warned.

The Minister cited World Bank figures indicating that in Ghana alone, 500,000 young people enter the job market annually, but only a fraction secure meaningful employment due to limited job openings.

Mr Opoku said the resources available to Africa, particularly in agriculture, offer a clear competitive advantage.

With 60 percent of the world’s uncultivated arable land, Africa contributes only 10 percent to global food production—an imbalance he described as a “missed opportunity.”

He also stressed the need for value addition to agricultural commodities, revealing that although Africa produces large volumes of raw cocoa beans, the continent captures only 5 percent of the $130 billion global chocolate market.

“We export raw materials and receive peanuts, only for those materials to be processed and sold back to us at high prices,” he stated.

Citing research from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Minister emphasised that every $1 invested in sustainable agriculture yields a return of $23, making the sector the most efficient tool for wealth creation.

However, despite agriculture employing 38.3 percent of Ghana’s population, he noted that youth participation stands at only 5 percent, with the average Ghanaian farmer aged 45. This aging workforce, he said, threatens future food security.

As part of measures to reverse the trend, Hon. Opoku announced a campaign for mass participation in agriculture aimed at making the sector more attractive and profitable for young people.

He also raised concerns over heavy food import bills, revealing that Ghana spends $3 billion annually on food imports, including $400 million on tomatoes alone, despite its fertile lands.

He noted that in 2022, Ghana produced just 15,000 metric tons of poultry out of a national consumption estimate of 324,000 metric tons.

“What is wrong with us?” he questioned. “We must rise to unlock our full agricultural potential.”

The Minister reiterated that youth-led agricultural solutions and accountability in policy implementation are crucial for national development and food sovereignty.

The event, held under the theme “Accountability, Policy and Youth-Led Solutions for National Development,” brought together policymakers, development agencies, young entrepreneurs, and civil society to advance strategic actions that empower Africa’s youth.

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Solevo Group donates 500 bags of NPK fertilizers and other inputs to MoFA to support Farmers’ Day

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Solevo Group has donated 500 bags of NPK fertilizers and other agricultural inputs that amount to GHS120,000 to the Ministry of Food and
Agriculture to support the Farmers’ Day celebration that will take place on 5th December 2025 at Ho in the Volta Region.

To donate the items, the Managing Director of Solevo Group, Ghana, Kenneth Badong mentioned that the Solevo Group in response to the call from the Ministry to support the farmers during the Farmers’ Day is donating 500 bags of NPK fertilizers and other farming inputs.

Pricing the input, he said the inputs that have been donated amounts to GHS120,000.

He said the Group has farmers at heart and is willing to support the farmers with their various products to enhance high-quality production to promote the livelihood of the farmers.

The Solevo items been 500 bags of NPK fertilizers and other farm inputs

Receiving the donation on behalf of Agric Minister, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Mr. Paul Siameh commended Solevo for the kind gesture.

He assured that the fertilizers and other inputs would be appropriately distributed to the award-winning farmers during the day.

“We receive these items with gratitude and ensure that the items that have been presented to us will be put to appropriate use; the ultimate users, that is our noble and gallant farmers of this country,” he said.

He urged the input dealers, and the stakeholders to actively participate in the 5 days exhibition that would commence prior to the main day.

The 5 days will witness a display of all agriculture inputs and outputs from the input dealers, stakeholders and farmers.

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Agruc Minister commends BAWCO for championing the welfare of female cocoa farmers

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The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku, has praised the critical role women play in Ghana’s agricultural sector, as he joined members of the Brong Ahafo Women Co-operative Cocoa Farming and Marketing Central Union Limited (BAWCO) at their 2025 annual festival held in Techiman.

The event, themed “Nurturing Women, Cultivating Life,” celebrated the contributions of women to cocoa farming and agribusiness.

Addressing the gathering, Hon. Opoku highlighted that women are the backbone of Ghana’s food and agricultural value chain.

He revealed that women constitute 52% of the agricultural labour force, contribute 70% of the country’s food production, and represent 90% of the agricultural processing and marketing workforce.

The Minister commended BAWCO for championing the welfare of female cocoa farmers, describing the cooperative as “one of the best initiatives to promote farmers’ prosperity and economic empowerment.” To support their operations, he donated GH₵40,000 to the Union.

Hon. Opoku also touched on Ghana’s performance in the global cocoa market.

He noted that although Ghana has moved from being the world’s largest cocoa producer to second place, the country remains unmatched in the quality of its cocoa beans.

He linked this excellence to Ghana’s long-standing reputation for premium cocoa on the international market.

Sharing a personal connection, the Minister recounted that his own mother was a cocoa farmer whose earnings helped sponsor his education.

This, he said, strengthened his belief in improving farmer welfare and income through value addition.He stressed that farmers abroad are wealthier than their Ghanaian counterparts because they benefit from value addition to their produce.

He reiterated the former Mahama administration’s policy of integrating agribusiness into the Trade Ministry to ensure value addition becomes a major driver of Ghana’s economy.

Hon. Opoku also added his voice to the ongoing national campaign against illegal mining (galamsey), warning that the destruction of farmlands and water bodies threatens the country’s agricultural future.

On the issue of the recent food glut, the Minister assured farmers that the government has provided an initial GH₵100 million through the National Food Buffer Stock Company to purchase surplus food from the market.

He indicated that additional funds would be released should the need arise, saying the government is committed to preventing post-harvest losses and stabilizing farmer incomes.

He further assured cocoa farmers that government will continue to adjust cocoa prices upward when global market prices increase, to ensure farmers benefit from changes in the international cocoa economy.

The BAWCO Festival brought together women farmers, cooperatives, traditional leaders, and stakeholders in the agriculture value chain to discuss opportunities for growth, value addition, and sustainable farm

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Prof. Wisdom Akpalu Elected First Vice Chair of AU’s STC-ARDWE-6

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Ghana has been elected as the First Vice Chair of the Bureau of the 6th Specialized Technical Committee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Water and Environment (STC-ARDWE-6) at the African Union (AU) Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

This milestone achievement follows the strong leadership and directive of the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hon. Emelia Arthur (MP), reflecting Ghana’s growing influence and commitment to advancing sustainable agriculture, fisheries, and environmental management across the continent.

The tenure for this position spans two years, renewable for an additional term. However, due to sanctions placed on Cameroon—the country initially elected as Chair—Ghana has assumed the role of Chairing the current session of the STC, underscoring the country’s readiness to lead and contribute meaningfully to key policy deliberations within the African Union.

In line with this development, Professor Wisdom Akpalu, Chairman of the Fisheries Commission of Ghana, will preside over the Technical and Experts Session of the STC scheduled from 21st to 23rd October 2025.

His leadership will set the stage for the Ministerial Session, which will take place on 24th October 2025.Ghana’s election to this high-level position reinforces its commitment to regional cooperation and its strategic role in promoting sustainable agricultural and environmental practices across Africa.

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