Peasant farmers call for input subsidy policy

The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG), has called for the introduction of input subsidy policy with clear sources of funding and sustainability.

The Association said there should be renewed efforts to improve data gathering and research to track progress to improve transparency and communication with farmers on the quantities of inputs subsidised.

Mr Charles Nyaba, the PFAG Programme Officer, made the call during a policy dialogue session on the implementation of the fertilizer subsidy programme in Accra.

He said government’s fertilizer and seed subsidy programme was an effective vehicle for delivering increased agricultural productivity, food security and wider economic development.

He said the benefit of input subsidies depended on several factors and supports which included improved targeting, rationing, implementation, private sector participation and use of a delivery medium.

He said PFAG reaffirmed to work with government and other stakeholders to ensure that the benefits of the programme to smallholder farmers were maximised.

Mr Nyaba said the Association was also committed to engaging with government and stakeholders to increase the benefit and consolidate gains made.

Dr John Tatoe, a Researcher, told the Ghana News Agency that there was a research to monitor the programme to access how effective the implementation was.

He said the findings indicated that the bulk of the fertilizer subsidy was going to maize and rice farmers.

He said as a recommendation, government should improve on the time the fertilizer was released to farmers.

Dr Tatoe said the Ministry of Food and Agriculture should take another look at the passbook used in the subsidy process and make sure retailers complied with the guidelines.