Upper West Regional Best Farmer Warns of Market Glut after Bumper Harvest

ALHAJI NANKPA JIBILIRU-2024 UPPER WEST REGIONAL BEST FARMER

The 2024 Upper West Regional Best Farmer, Alhaji Nankpa Jibiliru, says this year’s good harvest has sadly brought a major challenge to farmers across the region and the country.

Alhaji Jibiliru, who also manages Augustine Farms in the Sissala East District, spoke to Info Radio about the situation.

 “I told you there will be a bumper harvest, and truly that is what has happened. We have produced a lot of food. That makes me happy because we can feed the whole country,” he said.

However, he says the joy has been overshadowed by one big problem, no market for maize, rice and soybeans. Farmers across the country, he said, are “crying” because their produce is stuck in their warehouses. Prices have dropped drastically, and buyers are few.

Alhaji Jibiliru explained that although the rains started slowly and farmers rushed for tractor services, the season later stabilised. He said fertilizer was available and cheaper than last year, and there was no drought or flooding in the Upper West region.

“With all this, I can say we didn’t face any major farming problem this year,” he said.

But leftover stock from last year, combined with this year’s bumper harvest, has flooded the market and worsened the situation.

Alhaji Jibiliru expressed strong disappointment in the government, saying farmers have received no support despite their contribution to national food security.

“I can say government support is zero,” he stated.

He said although the government announced a new farming initiative (Feed Ghana) earlier in the year, farmers in the Upper West received nothing from it. Instead, he said, the government opened the borders for imported rice and maize. This, he explained, has made local produce unattractive to buyers because foreign products are cheaper.

“The maize we have produced—nobody is buying. Even if they ask, the price is too low. Right now, in Sissala land, you will not see a single person buying maize.”

Despite the painful market challenges, Alhaji Jibiliru said winning the 2024 Best Farmer award has helped him gain recognition. He now receives calls from people and institutions who want to work with him or involve him in training programmes.

He said farmers recently held a demonstration in Tamale where they made three key demands to the government: Close all borders to stop the importation of rice, maize and soybeans,  Buy local rice and maize for secondary schools and other state institutions and Purchase excess maize and store it so companies can later buy from the government.

He warned that if nothing is done, many young farmers who cannot sell their produce may become frustrated, and this could lead to social problems.

“We are only asking the government to do what will save farmers,” he said.

Alhaji Jibiliru added that farmers no longer trust government promises because funds that are announced rarely reach them.

“The only way we can know money has been released is when they come and buy our goods,” he said.