Gov’t announces 32 million cedi package for farmers
The subsidized fertilizers will be made available to all categories of farmers in all types of farming activities.
The programme is targeted at increasing fertilizer use in the country to improve productivity.
The high cost of fertilizers coupled with ignorance on the economic benefits of fertilizer use has made it unattractive to most farmers in the country.
In view of this, the government of Ghana has adopted several policies with the aim of subsidizing the cost of fertilizers for farmers.
The coupon system used to administer subsidies in 2008/2009 has been discontinued, due to the high administrative cost and diversion of fertilizers for intended beneficiaries.
Deputy minister for food and agriculture in charge of fisheries, Nii Amassah Namoaley, said the ministry has introduced a "way bill system" with inbuilt monitoring controls to ensure proper implementation of the 2010 programme.
He added that government had also met its financial obligations to the fertilizer companies and would pay the subsidy at an average rate of 16 cedis per 50kg bag.
Nii Amassah Namoaley, also spoke about efforts to address challenges farmers encounter in accessing the fertilizers when the season is at its peak.
The fertilizer subsidy coordinator, Dr Kwame Amezah, said there are enough fertilizers for distribution, adding that stringent measures have been put in place to ensure the fertilizers get to intended beneficiaries.
The deputy sector minister advised Ghanaians especially farmers to be vigilant in ensuring that people who intend hoarding and smuggling the fertilizers are made to face to the law.
Source: TV3/PF