Wa West farmers optimistic about Feed Ghana Initiative

Farmers in the Wa West District of the Upper West Region are looking to the newly launched Feed Ghana Programme as a lifeline to rescue them from the growing challenges of modern farming, especially the burdens weighing down peasant farmers.

The initiative seeks to boost agricultural production to feed the population, provide raw materials to feed agro-processing factories and create jobs for the teeming youth.

It involves sub-projects on vegetables, grains, poultry, oil palm, tubers and other import substitutes to reduce the country’s reliance on imports and transition into an export-heavy economy.

Launched by President John Dramani Mahama in Techiman in the Bono East Region, the agricultural initiative is anticipated to significantly transform the country's agricultural landscape. It aims to provide support to farmers, helping them increase production and enhance the country’s food systems.

But on the ground, farmers say the success of the initiative hinges on action, not promises. Speaking to Info Radio, Mr. Dari Biekyel, a farmer from Bankpama, welcomed the policy, calling it a good initiative.

However, he expressed concern that past programmes often overlook the needs of peasant farmers.

“Some of these policies always neglect the peasant farmers. We hope this time things will be different,” Mr. Biekyel emphasized.

Farmers in the district highlighted three pressing expectations: increased fertilizer supply, affordable farm inputs, and timely access to tractor services. Many say delays in tractor availability and the soaring cost of inputs significantly reduce their yields each season.

Adding his voice, Mr. Salifu Amadu, the Upper West Regional Focal Person for the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana, raised concerns about the current rollout of the programme.

According to him, despite the fanfare around the launch, there were no tractors or farm inputs presented to support immediate implementation.

“Farmers are excited, but they need to see tractors, they need to see fertilizer—not just speeches,” Mr. Amadu stated.