Food system safe, relief for 800,000 farmers begins October 10 – Agric Minister

Government has reaffirmed the safety of the country’s current food system, assuring that efforts are underway to restore farmers and their farming activities.

The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, revealed that following an extensive audit and analysis, the ministry has mobilised resources, secured Parliamentary approval, and received support from the World Bank and other development partners to tackle the challenges facing the agricultural sector.

As part of the government’s relief efforts, starting October 10, food grants will be distributed to over 800,000 farmers in the eight most affected regions, he disclosed when he took his turn at the Information Ministry’s ‘Meet the Press’ series on Tuesday.

Each farmer will receive 25kg of rice and 100kg of maize, he stated.

Additionally, Mr. Acheampong announced the launch of an online grain market, also beginning on October 10, where the public can purchase maize and rice at affordable prices.

“The distribution of inputs and food grants will be managed through the Ghana Agriculture and Agribusiness Platform (GhAAP) to ensure transparency and accountability,” he stated.

He added that 3,000 personnel have been deployed nationwide to register farmers and ensure no one is left out of the relief programs.

Looking ahead, the Minister emphasised the importance of long-term solutions, calling for sustained investment in agricultural resilience, particularly in irrigation and grain storage.

He highlighted the government’s commitment to investing GH¢3 billion annually in irrigation over the next decade, along with plans to increase grain storage capacity by 100,000 metric tons per year for the next 16 years.

Mr. Acheampong expressed his gratitude to stakeholders such as the World Bank, ECOWAS, and local partners for their support in addressing the agricultural crisis, noting that the government’s efforts will bring much-needed relief to farmers and stabilize food supplies in the coming months.

“The dry spell underscores the importance of long-term agricultural planning and investments. We are committed to ensuring our farmers are equipped to withstand future shocks,” he stressed.