By Daniel Agbesi Latsu, GNA
Kadjebi (O/R), Nov. 09, GNA – Farmers and other stakeholders in the agriculture sector in the Kadjebi District of the Oti Region have called on the Government to allocate at least 15 per cent of the 2027 national budget to agriculture to boost production and enhance food security.
They said persistent underfunding, high production costs, limited access to modern farming technologies, and climate-related challenges continued to constrain agricultural productivity and threaten the country’s food security.
The call comes ahead of the presentation of the 2027 Budget Statement and Economic Policy to Parliament by Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, Minister of Finance, on November 12.
In the 2026 Budget Statement, GH¢13.6 billion was allocated to agriculture-related sectors, including agriculture, aquaculture and agribusiness, representing an increase of GH¢1.5 billion over the previous year’s direct baseline allocation.
However, some sector players contend that inadequate and irregular release of funds has limited the impact of budgetary allocations on farmers and the overall development of the sector.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on their expectations of the 2027 Budget, Mr Divine Kofi Agede, an animal husbandry farmer based in Kadjebi, said the call for increased investment in agriculture was justified and deserved serious attention.
He said agriculture remained one of the pillars of Ghana’s economy, providing employment and livelihoods for a significant proportion of the population, particularly in rural communities.
Mr Agede noted that increased investment in the sector would contribute to poverty reduction, job creation, food production, and economic growth.
According to him, adequate funding would enable farmers to access improved seeds, fertilisers, irrigation facilities, machinery and extension services to enhance productivity.
He cautioned, however, that increasing budgetary allocations alone would not be enough to address the challenges confronting the sector.
“What matters most is how effectively the allocated funds are used to support farmers and improve agricultural production,” he said.
Mr Agede called for targeted interventions to support smallholder farmers, who form the backbone of Ghana’s agricultural sector but often struggle to access affordable credit and essential farm inputs.
He urged the Government to strengthen agricultural credit schemes, provide subsidised inputs, improve storage facilities and make modern farming equipment more accessible to smallholder farmers.
Mr Agede also advocated increased investment in irrigation infrastructure, road networks and post-harvest management systems to reduce losses and improve farmers’ incomes.
Mr Samuel Fato, Kadjebi District Chief Farmer, shared similar sentiments, saying the agriculture sector required sustained financial support to enable farmers to expand production and contribute meaningfully to national food security.
He said the Government should prioritise access to affordable inputs, credit facilities and improved technologies to address the high cost of production.
Mr Fato also stressed the need for the timely release of funds and effective implementation of agricultural programmes to ensure that farmers benefited from government interventions.
Ms Gloria Asimenu, the 2017 Kadjebi District Best Vegetable Farmer, supported the call for increased agricultural investment.
She said the provision of irrigation dams and other water facilities was essential to promoting year-round vegetable production, particularly during the dry season.
Ms Asimenu noted that reliable irrigation systems would enable farmers to cultivate tomatoes and other vegetables throughout the year, improve local supply and reduce Ghana’s reliance on tomato imports from Burkina Faso.
She urged the Government to prioritise irrigation development in farming communities to help farmers cope with erratic rainfall patterns and prolonged dry spells.
According to her, increased domestic vegetable production would improve food availability, create jobs, and enhance the incomes of farmers.
The farmers said the 2027 Budget should demonstrate a stronger commitment to agriculture through increased funding, timely release of resources. and effective implementation of policies and programmes aimed at transforming the sector.
They urged the Government to ensure that investments in agriculture translated into improved productivity, better livelihoods, and sustainable food security.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Lydia Kukua Asamoah