The Former Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale Central Constituency in Northern Region, Inusah Fuseini, has cast blames on the Ministry of food and agriculture for its delay in the supply of fertilizers to farmers; saying could be responsible for the projected possible food shortage in the country.
According to him, the delay in supplying the fertilizers has negatively affected many farmers in this year’s farming season.
Speaking on the Daybreak Upper East on A1 Radio, Mr. Inusah believes the reports that suggest possible food shortage and price hikes in the country are likely to happen.
He explained that the Government delayed the supply of fertilizers to farmers when crops were due for fertilizer application, which compelled farmers to rely on the open market for fertilizer at higher prices.
“For instance, in May this year, some of the maize fields were due for further application but the government’s planting for food and jobs project or policy failed in bringing fertilizer at the time that fertilizer was needed on the maize fields. So yields will be significantly lower.”
The former MP further observed that if farmers are not able to meet the demand of consumers in terms of availability of farm produce in the markets, the demand will outweigh supply which will have a relative impact on the pricing of these produce causing it to hike.
In order to curb the situation, He said “Government must make a conscious effort to buy excess food on the market and store same for the lean season. Government after buying will know its capacity; whether it has enough in stock to ensure that the prices of food stuffs do not rice to unacceptable levels. If the government comes to the conclusion that, it has not bought from the market enough food for food security, Government has to import to augment whatever it has bought and stored.”
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1 MHz|Kennedy Zongbil|Ghana
