- Government to mitigate the impact of a severe dry spell
- The measures are intended to prevent a potential food crisis
- Government allocated an estimated GH¢8 billion to address the situation
The Ghanaian government is working tirelessly to mitigate the impact of a severe dry spell that has affected farmers in the northern regions of the country.
Agriculture Minister Dr. Bryan Acheampong announced that the government aims to complete the distribution of seeds and fertilizers to affected farmers by mid-September and import essential foodstuffs by September 20th.
These measures are intended to prevent a potential food crisis.
The dry spell, exacerbated by climate change, has jeopardized approximately 1.86 million hectares of crops and impacted over 900,000 farmers.
Maize, rice, groundnuts, soybeans, sorghum, millet, and yam are among the most affected crops.
To support affected farmers, the government is proposing a financial compensation of GH¢1,000 per hectare.
However, some farmers have deemed this amount insufficient.
Dr. Acheampong assured that this is just a portion of the total compensation package, which will include additional measures.
The government has allocated an estimated GH¢8 billion to address the situation, combining funds from the Contingency Fund, budget realignment, and development partners.
Dr. Acheampong emphasized the government’s commitment to assisting farmers and ensuring food security in the country.
He also highlighted the support of the Finance Ministry and donor partners in this endeavor.
