VOLTA REGIONAL BEST FARMER CALLS FOR SUBSIDY IN FERTILIZER

 

VR MIN PRESENTING AWARD TO THE BEST FARMER

A 44-year-old farmer from  Tekpi  in the Keta municipality of the Volta region, Mr Michael Thompson Sedohia, who was adjudged the 2014 Volta Regional Best Farmer is calling for the restoration of fertilizer subsidies for farmers.

In 2008, the government of Ghana instituted a country-wide subsidy on 50Kg bags of four types of fertilizer in an effort to mitigate the effect of rising energy and food prices.

Farmers received the subsidy in the form of fertilizer based on region specific vouchers distributed by agricultural extension agents.

The fertilizer subsidy was considered as a unique example of a public-private partnership in which the government consulted heavily with fertilizer importers in the design stage and relied exclusively on the existing private distribution system to deliver fertilizer to farmers.

But in 2012, its sustainability slowed down and subsequently removed following financial constraints.

Although Mr Fiifi Kwetey, Minister of Food and Agriculture early this week at a festival in Aflao entreated farmers in the country to gradually wean themselves off subsidies on farming inputs and agrochemical products, the situation according to the Volta regional best farmer is rather affecting their yield which is negatively impacting on their livelihood.

In an interview with Citi News at regional ceremony held at Matse near Ho on the theme “Eat what you grow.”,Mr Sedohia called for restoration of the fertilizer subsidy.

The Regional best farmer who has 72 acres of vegetable, fruit farms and also into animal husbandry said they also needed loan facilities to expand their ventures and ensure food sustainability.

Mrs Helen Ntoso, Volta Regional Minister called for frequent agriculture trade shows to grow market for local products. She also called on individuals to keep a “home/kitchen garden” for self-sufficiency.

“Growing our own food is a brilliant way to save money rather than spending hundreds of cedis in grocery shops buying imported food, which most likely pose danger to your health and that of your family,” Mrs Ntoso stated.

For his prize, Mr Sedohia, took home a tricycle, wellington boots, a water pump, a flat-screen television and a carton of agrochemicals. Others were rewarded for their efforts in the production of crops such as maize, cassava, plantain, rice, tomatoes, ginger, pineapple, mango, rice, sweet potato, cocoa and coffee.