Chamber of Agribusiness Calls for Long-Term Solutions to Food Security Challenges
Chamber of Agribusiness Calls for Long-Term Solutions to Food Security Challenges
- CAG has urged the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to reevaluate its strategies
- They emphasized the need for sustainable solutions
- The Chamber called for the procurement and supply of irrigation pumps
The Chamber of Agribusiness (CAG) has urged the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to reevaluate its strategies for addressing food security, advocating for long-term solutions that tackle the root causes of food insecurity while enhancing productivity and resilience.
In a statement, the Chamber acknowledged the ministry’s efforts in distributing food grants to over 800,000 farmers affected by dry spells in the northern and middle regions of the country.
While they appreciated this initiative, they emphasized the need for sustainable solutions to effectively address the underlying issues.
The Chamber proposed expanding existing dams to facilitate dry-season farming, which would lessen dependence on seasonal rainfall and boost food production throughout the year, promoting self-sufficiency. They also recommended that the government acquire equipment to assist farmers in utilizing these dams effectively.
Furthermore, the Chamber called for the procurement and supply of irrigation pumps, drip lines, water pipes, sprinklers, and other necessary accessories to the affected regions.
Additionally, they suggested that the government collaborate with banks, financial institutions, and agro-input importers to lower interest rates and adjust debt repayment terms for farmers impacted by the dry spells. This measure, they argued, would ease the financial burdens on farmers who have taken loans to support their operations.
Regarding the government’s relief support for affected farmers, as announced by Minister of Agriculture Bryan Acheampong, the Chamber raised questions about the technical planning that informed the decision, the criteria for identifying the 800,000 farmers, the agency responsible for distribution, and how to ensure fair and efficient allocation of grants.
Other proposals from the Chamber included developing a comprehensive 10-year policy plan that outlines a coherent agricultural social protection intervention and establishing a national agriculture risk management agency, among other initiatives.
