The Member of Parliament for Talensi, Daniel Dung Mahama, has assured farmers that the government is taking decisive steps to address the ongoing food glut affecting maize and rice producers across the country.
His comments come amid growing concerns from the Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana that the grain sector is nearing collapse, with over 100,000 metric tonnes of maize and rice from the 2024 harvest still unsold. Farmers in several regions have expressed frustration over limited access to reliable markets for their produce.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Newsroom on Saturday, 25 October, Mr Mahama urged farmers to remain calm, noting that government interventions are already underway.
“The farmers watching us shouldn’t panic. They should try and use their old methods of storage. So far, the government is doing well with the glut. The National Food Buffer Stock Company has been instructed to buy the excess, and they have been doing it,” he said.
The Talensi MP encouraged farmers to adopt improved post-harvest handling and storage practices to prevent losses, even as the government works to expand market opportunities.
He also welcomed the Minority in Parliament’s call for the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr Eric Opoku, to brief the House on plans to manage the food surplus, describing it as a reasonable step to ensure transparency.
“With the directive by the Minister of Agriculture, I’ll also encourage Buffer Stock to act early to buy the excess produce since the government has warehouses to store them. This will bring a solution to the issue,” he said.
The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, disclosed that Cabinet has approved the release of funds to the National Food Buffer Stock Company to purchase surplus maize and rice and stabilise the market, ensuring farmers are not left at a disadvantage.
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