In a recent call to the government, an Agric Policy Consultant is urging authorities to prioritize the timely distribution of agricultural inputs to farmers, particularly those located in the five regions of the north. The consultant emphasizes that providing farmers with timely access to inputs would enable them to plan effectively and significantly improve their crop yields.
Furthermore, the consultant is urging the government to reevaluate the percentage of subsidies granted on farm inputs, specifically fertilizers. During the previous planting season, a 15 percent subsidy was allocated to fertilizers. However, experts argue that this subsidy level did not sufficiently support farmers in managing production costs.
Emmanuel Wullingdool, an Agriculture Policy Consultant, shared his insights during an interview with Mark Smith on A1 Radio’s Day Break Upper East Show. Mr. Wullingdool highlighted the limitations of the previous subsidy system and stressed the need for the government to increase subsidy margins to alleviate the burden of production costs faced by farmers.
By increasing subsidies on farm inputs, the government can provide farmers with the necessary financial support to access essential agricultural inputs, such as fertilizers, seeds, and pesticides. This approach will not only enhance farmers’ productivity but also contribute to overall food security and economic growth in the agricultural sector.
Wullingdool emphasized the significance of implementing effective agricultural policies and mechanisms that align with the needs and challenges faced by farmers. Timely access to agricultural inputs, combined with appropriate subsidy levels, will empower farmers to optimize their production and contribute to the nation’s sustainable agricultural development.
“What the government can do is very obvious. We do know that one of the major concerns for farmers, especially in this part of the country, has to do with land preparation. We can then graduate the conversation to the access of inputs. We can talk about fertilizers and seeds. We can also talk about good agronomic facilities, which for me are critical. We also have to talk about access to credit for farmers,” he said.
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1MHz|Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith|Ghana
