Lawra Agriculture Director Highlights Challenges Facing Farmers

The Lawra Municipal Director of Agriculture, Jacob Akisbadek, has identified the high cost of farm inputs and limited access to agricultural machinery as some of the key challenges affecting farmers in the municipality during the current farming season.

Speaking on Info Radio, Mr. Akisbadek said the rising cost of fertilizer has significantly affected crop production, making it difficult for many farmers to achieve optimal yields.

To support farmers, he disclosed that the government, through the Feed Ghana Programme, distributed about 1,500 bags of fertilizer free of charge to registered beneficiaries in the municipality.

Mr. Akisbadek also highlighted the shortage of tractors as a major concern, particularly during the peak farming season when demand for ploughing services is at its highest. According to him, the increased demand has driven up the cost of tractor services, placing additional financial pressure on farmers.

The Municipal Director further underscored the importance of vegetable farming to the local economy, describing it as one of the municipality's major agricultural activities. He said vegetable production not only provides food for households but also serves as a significant source of income for many farming families.

He explained that surplus vegetables are supplied to markets in other parts of the country, helping to improve household incomes, stimulate the local economy, and increase the availability of fresh produce in other communities.

On the fertilizer distribution, Mr. Akisbadek noted that the intervention formed part of the government's Feed Ghana Programme aimed at improving agricultural productivity. He, however, indicated that the quantity supplied was limited and urged beneficiary farmers to apply the fertilizer efficiently to maximize its impact on crop production.