Rising Fertilizer Costs Drive Youth from Agriculture to Illegal Mining in Upper West Region

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The escalating costs of farm inputs are pushing young farmers in Dornye, a farming community in the Wa West District of the Upper West Region, towards a dangerous alternative, illegal mining, locally known as galamsey. This alarming trend is not only threatening the livelihoods of local farmers but also exacerbating environmental degradation and undermining regional development efforts.

According to farmers in Dornye, the prohibitively high prices of fertilizer and other agricultural inputs have severely hampered their ability to cultivate effectively. Over the years, declining soil fertility combined with rising input costs have resulted in diminished harvests, leaving many farmers economically vulnerable and desperate for solutions.

Speaking to Info Radio, local farmers appealed to the government for urgent intervention, emphasizing the need for subsidized fertilizers and the construction of irrigation infrastructure such as dams to enable sustainable, year-round farming. “The high cost of fertilizer has discouraged many of us from farming,” lamented Mr. Kyoo-uum Inusah. “We need affordable inputs and reliable water sources to keep our farms productive.”

Farmers also expressed frustration over the perceived neglect of existing agricultural support programs. Madam Suong Konere, a female farmer in Dornye, criticized the lack of targeted assistance for women farmers, highlighting gender disparities in access to resources and aid.

The community’s plea underscores a critical juncture, without immediate government action, young people may continue to abandon agriculture in favor of illegal mining, with devastating consequences for the environment and local economies. As Dornye awaits concrete measures from central government , their call for renewed commitment to rural development and food security resonates across the region, emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable solutions to support farmers and safeguard their livelihoods.