Pepper farmers in the Bolgatanga Municipality of the Upper East region are unhappy over the current prices that prospective buyers, buy their produce per bag.
The farmers told A1 News that the high price of fertilizers and other agrochemicals that are used in their farming activities notwithstanding, prices of the products do not match the production costs. The farmers say a bag of pepper is being sold currently between Gh¢200.00 to Gh¢250.00 per bag this year which they say is the lowest price ever.
Farmers who spoke in an exclusive interview with A1 News said, because this is the time of harvesting pepper, every farmer is always ready and willing to sell out their pepper reason buyers had the opportunity to buy at any price.
Because of the lack of storage and the highly perishable nature of peppers, farmers are forced to sell the products at low prices.
It is out of these frustrations that the farmers are calling on the government and private investors as well as organizations to go to their aid, and provide them with storage facilities in order for them to be able to store their pepper and sell at the appreciate time.
Mr. John Akolgo one of the Farmers from Bolga Sherigu-Zuuribisi who appeared on “Agric Forum” show on A1Radio, said the issue is deeply affecting the farmers in the municipality hence needed to be quickly addressed by relevant authorities.
According to Mr. Akolgo, if the government provides them with a befitting pepper storage facility, farmers will be able to sell their pepper at a rightful time and it will go a long way to help them financially.
He also noted that, when farmers are provided with storage facilities, they will be able to expand their farmlands in order to produce more.
Source:A1Radioonline.Com|101.1MHZ|David Azure|Bolgatanga|
