Agric Ministry to test selling food at farm gate pricing

According to Hon. Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, Minister of Food and Agriculture, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture would shortly test the sale of agricultural products at farm gate pricing at its Directorate.

Hon. Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, speaking to the media in the Western Region as part of his working trip of the Western North and Western Regions, claims that this action is based on a request from a variety of farmers he encountered on his tour.

“It all emanates from farmers from the Western North Region that we must strive to buy their plantain and farm produce to Takoradi and Accra to sell for them. This will be a great relief to them; so, I effected an announcement yesterday and notified my Chief Director on how to prepare on getting transport to cart the produce from Bodi to the Ministry to sell it to the civil servants only, at least food will be affordable” Dr Afriyie lamented.

Every project you work on should be tested to see if it will work; there is no guarantee it will, but if it does, it will show everyone that you can obtain something for 20 cedis in Makola but just 5 cedis at the Ministry.

We are testing the waters, he said, and it is apparent that people would swarm to the ministry for vegetables and that farmers in Bodi will submit their produce to be sold.

The Minister bemoaned how a larger portion of public sector employees’ salaries went toward the food budget.

We are concerned about the high cost of food in cities like Takoradi and Accra.

Considering that 40% of workers’ income and wages are spent on food, when food prices rise, it makes life more difficult, which is something we do not want.

Ghanaian farmers work incredibly hard, and it shows in their productivity and yield. The farmers are giving it their all.

Dr Afriyie Akoto stated, “What method would we employ to guarantee that the farmer’s labor does not go to waste and that people in Takoradi, Accra, and other locations receive reasonable food produce to alleviate their plight.

Source: Ghanatodayonline.com