Three stakeholders in agriculture have expressed diverse views about the government’s decision to ban export of grains to curb looming food crisis in the country.
While the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) and the Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana have kicked against the approach, the Sisaala Development Network (SiDNET) supports it.
The government’s decision to ban the export of key grains such as maize, rice, and soybean, is in response to a severe dry spell affecting food production in parts of the country.
Additionally, GH₵8 billion has been allocated for relief and mitigation efforts, including suspending certain agricultural practices and investing in infrastructure.
However, the Executive Director of the PFAG, Bismark Owusu Nortey, in an interview with the Ghanaian Times described the export ban as premature and unfavourable.
“This is not the first time the government is issuing a ban on exportation of cereals and grains. In 2022, the government took a similar position, which had a very negative effect on farmers,” he said.
Mr Nortey said the ban would force farmers to sell their produce at cheaper prices due to reduced market options, urging the government to involve farmers in policy development for more sustainable solutions.
He urged the government to establish a system that allows farmers to sell their produce at competitive prices, even under export restrictions, to ensure their financial stability.
The CEO of the Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana, Mr Anthony Morrison, warned that the export ban could disrupt Ghana’s food trade, which is integrated with the West African market.
“The temporary ban on the export of grains could impact Ghana’s food trade as food trade on the West African market was integrated,” Mr Morrison noted.
He further questioned the GH¢8 billion allocated for mitigation measures, suggesting that the government should focus on previously allocated funds and adopt alternative strategies, such as the Ghana Agriculture Risk Mitigation Preparedness strategy and establish a dedicated coordinating agency.
He recommended that the government should reconsider its approach to the situation and align the measures better with international trade norms and financial agreements.
For Professor Roger Adamu Lure Kanton, the Chairman of the Agriculture and Environment Committee of the Sisaala Development Network (SiDNET), the export ban was a standard emergency response.
Although he acknowledged the short-term nature of the measure he said it was necessary under the current circumstances.
Prof. Kanton recommended better use of drought-resistant seeds and improved meteorological data specific to agriculture.
“What Ghana Meteorology Agency does is that they provide information generally and mostly it is for the aviation industry. But agriculture data should be specific and localised,” Prof. Kanton stated.
He advocated more targeted meteorological services to help farmers to better plan and manage their crops in response to varying weather conditions.
The Ghanaian Times made attempts to get the Ministry’s reaction to the concerns raised by the farmers but was unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
BY VIVIAN ARTHUR & BENJAMIN ARCTON-TETTEY
