The Eastern Regional Directorate of the Inter-Party Affairs and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has met with rice and cocoa farmers in the Atewa East District to discuss their challenges and share the party’s agricultural policies.
The meeting highlighted critical issues in the sector, particularly the damaging effects of illegal mining.
Farmers expressed concerns about the escalating cost of production, including farm inputs, labor, and transportation, which they say are severely impacting their ability to profit from their hard work.
The devastating effects of illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, on farmlands and water bodies also emerged as a major issue that requires urgent government intervention.
Cocoa farmers, in particular, expressed their frustration despite the government’s recent announcement of a 45-percent increase in the producer price of cocoa for the 2024/2025 season.
While the price hike aims to curb smuggling and improve the welfare of cocoa farmers, many in the Atiwa East District feel the benefit will be minimal due to rising production costs and the impact of illegal mining on their livelihoods.
“The cost of fertilizers, labor, and transportation has skyrocketed, and the illegal mining has worsened our situation,” one farmer said. Others pointed out that the poor road network in mining areas has pushed transport costs even higher, squeezing their margins.
Another farmer Patricia Dwamena said “The river that we depended on for our farms have been destroyed by illegal miners. Another issue is that the agrochemicals government brings by the time it reaches the community, then it is left with only three boxes people have stolen the rest. How can a cocoa community of 400 cocoa farmers share this small agrochemicals to spray on their farms . I have 8 hectors of cocoa farm but I have not had even three Bottles of chemicals to spray on my farm before”
Ghana’s cocoa sector has faced multiple setbacks in recent years, including weather challenges, diseases, illegal mining, inadequate inputs, and smuggling, all contributing to the decline in cocoa harvests.
In response, the NDC reassured farmers that, if voted into power, they would restore free fertilizers and farm inputs, increase farmgate prices, and provide agricultural equipment to support farmers.
The party also encouraged the farmers to form cooperatives to fully benefit from these policies.
The NDC assured the farmers that their policies would address these pressing concerns, pledging to restore Ghana’s agricultural sector to its former glory.
The leadership of the Regional Inter Party Affairs and CSOs are Kwaku Boateng, Regional Director, Abdul Rasha, Dep. Director, David Siaw Frimpong Isaac Senior Damptey, Evans Srenyame and Alex Opoku Agyemang all Executive members.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
