The Bolgatanga Municipal Chairman of the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG), Rev. John Akaribo, has called on farmers across the Upper East Region and the country to begin sowing their crops immediately, warning that any further delay could significantly affect yields this season.
Speaking on Bolga FM’s Tinmaalgo Sanga programme on May 21, 2025, Rev. Akaribo emphasized that this period is critical for planting and urged farmers to take full advantage of the ongoing rainfall.
“Every farmer in the Upper East Region, and Ghana as a whole, should begin sowing now. If you haven’t applied manure yet, do it without delay. If you haven’t ploughed your land, get it done. If you don’t have bullocks, look for them and start ploughing. This is the season for sowing and cropping,” he urged.
Rev. Akaribo noted that by late May, most farmers should have completed sowing and moved on to weeding and fertilizer application. He warned that delaying sowing beyond the month could result in reduced yields due to increasingly unpredictable rainfall patterns.
“If the month ends and you haven’t sown, it will be too late. You’re likely to miss out on a bumper harvest—or even your expected yield. The rains may no longer favour you,” he said.
He also acknowledged a common hesitation among farmers: the fear that stray animals may graze on newly planted fields if only a few individuals sow early. To address this, he called on livestock owners to act responsibly.
“There’s always the challenge of who starts first, because if you sow alone in your community, stray animals may destroy your crops. But even if you haven’t sown yet and you keep animals, make sure they are pegged. Don’t let them roam freely,” he advised.
Rev. Akaribo’s call serves as a timely reminder as farmers brace for a critical period in the agricultural calendar, where timing and preparation can make all the difference in ensuring a successful harvest.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Seidu Mutawakil Azangbeogo|Bolgatanga
