Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), has committed to bolstering Ghana’s agricultural sector by providing farmers with essential resources such as tractors and credit. This initiative aims to enhance productivity and bring down food prices across the nation.
Addressing a campaign rally in Wa East, Dr. Bawumia underscored the crucial role of farming in ensuring food security and affordability. He emphasized that increasing agricultural productivity is key to reducing food prices and vowed to equip farmers with the tools and financial support needed to achieve this goal.
“I want to help our farmers. Farming is the key to bringing food prices down, and we are going to help the farmers increase their productivity,” Dr. Bawumia stated. He pointed to the impressive agricultural yields in countries like Brazil and China, where maize production reaches 10 and 12 tons per acre, respectively, compared to Ghana’s average of just four tons per acre.
Dr. Bawumia plans to introduce successful farming practices from Brazil and China to Ghanaian farmers, aiming to replicate their high productivity levels. “We are going to apply the practices that have worked in Brazil and China to our farmers in the Wa East District to increase productivity,” he added.
Additionally, Dr. Bawumia announced the establishment of “super aggregators” who will purchase produce directly from farmers, ensuring they receive fair prices and reducing post-harvest losses. “We are going to establish super aggregators who will come and buy the produce from the farmers so that the food does not go to waste and they can get good prices for their goods,” he explained.
Highlighting the importance of soil fertility, Dr. Bawumia advocated for the use of lime fertilizers, which are abundant in Ghana, to enhance soil productivity. “We are going to help the farmers with tractors and with credit for them to harvest, and we are going to move from the normal fertilizer to lime. Lime makes our soil very fertile, and we have lime in Ghana,” he noted.
Dr. Bawumia’s pledges reflect a comprehensive strategy to support farmers, boost agricultural yields, and ensure food security in Ghana, promising a brighter future for the nation’s agricultural sector.
