Flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Hon. Ken Ohene Agyapong, has expressed deep concern over the challenges faced by rice farmers in the five northern regions, emphasizing the urgent need for government intervention through agricultural subsidies.
Speaking during his Unity Tour of the northern regions, Ken Agyapong revealed his frustration after a heartfelt encounter with a local farmer who shared the harsh realities of rice production in Ghana.
He lamented that while a 50kg bag of locally produced rice costs around GH₵650, imported rice sells for GH₵400 — a situation that has crippled the competitiveness of local farmers.
“How can our farmers sell their rice when imported brands are cheaper? The problem is not the quality of our rice — it’s the high cost of production,” he said.
Ken Agyapong noted that unlike Ghana, countries such as India and China heavily subsidize their agricultural sectors by supporting farmers with fertilizers, chemicals, and modern equipment — measures that keep their production costs low and exports competitive.
“The solution is simple. We must give subsidies to our farmers — fertilizers, chemicals, and other inputs — to reduce their cost of production. Without that, our farmers will continue to suffer while imported rice floods our markets,” he stressed.
He further assured that under his leadership, farmers will receive free, chemical-free fertilizers and inputs to boost productivity and ensure that Ghanaian rice becomes affordable and competitive.
“We cannot keep watching our rice rot in warehouses while farmers lose hope. As President, I will make agriculture the heartbeat of Ghana’s economy and restore dignity to the hardworking farmer,” he declared.
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