Peasant Farmers Urge Government to Prioritize Local Food in School Feeding Programme

A cross-section of peasant farmers

The Upper West Regional Focal Person of the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG), Mr. Amadu Salifu, has sounded a clarion call for greater scrutiny of the food supply chain underpinning Ghana’s School Feeding Programme. In an interview with Info Radio, Mr. Salifu expressed concern over the continued reliance on imported food items—particularly rice—despite the region’s abundant locally produced alternatives.

Mr. Salifu revealed that while the Upper West Region is a significant producer of rice, maize, and beans, many local farmers struggle to access reliable markets for their produce. He warned that the persistent importation of food products for government-funded programmes could undermine local agricultural development, threaten farmers’ livelihoods, and hinder efforts to boost the regional economy.

“It's imperative that we investigate where the food supplied to the programme is coming from,” Mr. Salifu emphasized. “Our farmers produce enough to meet local demand, yet many remain sidelined. Promoting the consumption of locally grown food can create jobs, support farmers, and stimulate economic growth.”

He also highlighted the incongruity of advocating for local food consumption while public institutions continue to source imported products for their programmes. Mr. Salifu called on key stakeholders— including the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the Ghana School Feeding Programme Secretariat, and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture—to collaborate in prioritizing local sourcing.

To strengthen the agricultural sector, he proposed that at least 80 percent of food supplies for the School Feeding Programme should be procured locally. Such a shift, he argued, would not only empower farmers but also reinforce Ghana’s food security and economic resilience.