{"id":235653,"date":"2024-10-20T10:23:44","date_gmt":"2024-10-20T10:23:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2024\/10\/20\/drought-conditions-in-northern-zone-hit-grains-sector-hardest\/"},"modified":"2024-10-20T10:23:44","modified_gmt":"2024-10-20T10:23:44","slug":"drought-conditions-in-northern-zone-hit-grains-sector-hardest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2024\/10\/20\/drought-conditions-in-northern-zone-hit-grains-sector-hardest\/","title":{"rendered":"Drought conditions in northern zone hit grains sector hardest"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"Drought Drought conditions has affected grains sector<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Dry spells and drought conditions have affected 1.8 million hectares of agricultural land in the country, resulting in crop revenue losses amounting to some GH\u00a222.2billion for 2023 and 2024.<\/p>\n

Data from the Ghana Grains Council (GGC) suggest the Northern and Savannah Regions \u2013 which are responsible for a significant portion of the country\u2019s maize, millet, sorghum and rice \u2013 were hit hardest.<\/p>\n

Maize yields fell by 35 percent and rice production by 25 percent, with millet and sorghum yields dropping by some 20 percent this year.<\/p>\n

The situation\u2019s gravity cannot be downplayed, especially when we consider the fact that maize alone accounts for half of the country\u2019s total cereal production \u2013 with over two million smallholder farmers depending on corn for their livelihoods.<\/p>\n

Despite opportunities, the gain sector faces several challenges \u2013 including low productivity, inconsistent access to inputs for farmers, exposure to global market fluctuations and climate variability, among others.<\/p>\n

Consequently, it\u2019s critical to ensure the grains sector continues contributing positively to Ghana\u2019s economic growth and food security.<\/p>\n

With the country losing approximately 1.46 million hectares of tree cover in the last two decades \u2013 much of it due to mining activities and environmental degradation, the Council maintains these activities have degraded large tracts of arable land and polluted water-bodies; further exacerbating challenges faced by farmers.<\/p>\n

Coupled with the above, post-harvest losses in the grain industry remain alarmingly high, with estimates suggesting that 30-40 percent of grains are lost annually due to inadequate storage, transportation and processing facilities.<\/p>\n

These losses reduce the profitability of smallholders and contribute to food insecurity.<\/p>\n

However, investment in rural infrastructure \u2013 including roads, storage facilities and market platforms \u2013 are key to reducing the losses and improving access to markets.<\/p>\n

Stakeholders at the Ghana Grains Forum in Accra also admitted that the drought has threatened to wipe out billions of cedis invested; and the ban on grain exports, though necessary, has a tendency to challenge local grain producers\u2019 competitiveness.<\/p>\n

As a result of climatic variations due to climate change, the Chamber of Agribusiness (CAG) has called on the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to review its approach to addressing food security and implement long-term solutions to solve the root-causes of food insecurity and promote productivity and resilience.<\/p>\n

While the Chamber applauds government for its effort to distribute food grants to over 800,000 farmers affected by dry spells in the country\u2019s northern and middle belts, it emphasises that a sustainable solution is critical for dealing with the issue at hand.<\/p>\n

Government must first of all expand existing dams for dry-season farming to reduce reliance on seasonal rainfall for cropping, thus enhancing food production during the dry season and promoting self-sufficiency all year round.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn addition to this, government should procure and supply irrigation pumps, drip-lines, water pipes, sprinklers and other relevant accessories to affected areas for use,\u201d the Chamber notes.<\/p>\n

It also suggested that government should engage with banks, financial institutions and agro-input importers to reduce interest rates and debt repayment modes for farmers who are victims of the dry spell.<\/p>\n

Adopting this measure will alleviate the financial burden on farmers emanating from loans and facilities they received from financial institutions in support of their businesses.<\/p>\n

That said, the Chamber questioned criteria used in identifying the 800,000 farmers; the agency responsible for distribution; and how the grants will be distributed fairly and efficiently.<\/p>\n

The Chamber is impressing on government to design a 10-year policy plan that presents a well-documented and coherent agricultural social protection intervention mechanism; and establishing a national agriculture risk management agency, among others.<\/p>\n

Food and Agriculture Minister Bryan Acheampong observed that the dry spell, which many feared would trigger a food crisis, was anticipated and accounted for well before it struck; underscoring the ministry\u2019s proactive stance in mitigating the effects of adverse weather conditions.<\/p>\n

The ministry implemented a strategic action plan to support Ghanaian farmers and safeguard the country\u2019s food security.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Drought conditions has affected grains sector Dry spells and drought conditions have affected 1.8 million hectares of agricultural land in the country, resulting in crop revenue losses amounting to some GH\u00a222.2billion for 2023 and 2024. 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