Accra, May 25, GNA – SEND Ghana and its partners have called on the government to expedite the distribution of agricultural inputs to farmers as the 2026 planting season begins across the country.
They said delays in the release of seeds, fertilisers, and other essential farm inputs under the government’s flagship Feed Ghana Programme could negatively affect planting activities and threaten national food security.
In a statement issued in Accra, SEND Ghana and its partners said information gathered from farmers in the Northern, Oti, Volta, and Bono East regions indicated that many were yet to receive the needed inputs despite the onset of the rains.
The statement said further checks with Agriculture Departments also revealed that most Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) had not received supplies meant for onward distribution to farmers.
“The delay can affect planting, derail the government’s ambitions for the programme, and threaten food security,” the statement said.
It further observed that some farmers were already reluctant to engage in large-scale farming this year due to losses incurred during the previous farming season, when many were unable to sell their rice and maize because of a market glut.
The statement called on the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to prioritise the inclusion of young people, particularly young women, in the implementation of the Feed Ghana Programme as a strategy to address youth unemployment.
It also urged the government to improve public access to information on the programme by providing regular updates on implementation processes, progress, and modalities for accessing support under the initiative.
“The success of this initiative depends on strengthened agricultural governance at the local level and the timeliness of interventions. Without these, the government risks missing set targets and wasting public resources,” the organisation stated.
Describing the Feed Ghana Programme as a major opportunity to enhance food security, reduce food inflation, create employment opportunities for youth and women, and promote agro-industrial development and exports, the statement noted that increased transparency would empower farmers with the information needed to benefit from the programme while enabling civil society organisations to monitor implementation and provide feedback.
GNA
Nii Martey M. Botchway
[email protected]
Edited by Samuel Osei-Frempong