Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, John Dumelo, has announced a series of government interventions aimed at supporting maize and beans farmers in the Atebubu-Amantin District ahead of the end of the July/August 2026 cropping season.
Responding to an urgent question in Parliament filed by Atebubu-Amantin MP Sanja Nanja, the Deputy Minister said the interventions form part of the government’s Feed Ghana Programme, which seeks to reduce production costs and improve food security through the free distribution of agricultural inputs.
According to Mr Dumelo, the Ministry has already begun the nationwide distribution of free farm inputs for the 2026 major cropping season to ensure farmers receive quality inputs in time to complete planting.
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“The distribution of the inputs has begun. We’ve so far distributed some of the inputs through the district assemblies, and that is currently ongoing,” he told Parliament.
NAFCO buying surplus grains
The Deputy Minister acknowledged that increased agricultural production in recent years had, in some areas, created market surpluses that reduced farm-gate prices and affected farmers’ incomes.
To address the challenge, he said the Ministry had directed the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) to intensify the purchase of surplus maize, rice and soya beans from farmers.
Mr Dumelo disclosed that, with the support of the Bono East Regional Minister, NAFCO has deployed purchasing agents to the Atebubu-Amantin District to buy grains directly from farmers.
He further revealed that Atebubu-Amantin has been selected as one of five grain-producing districts where a private sector partner is preparing to establish grain processing facilities.
According to him, the project will add value to locally produced grains, including maize, for both domestic consumption and export, while providing a reliable market for farmers after harvest.
Price stability
Mr Dumelo said the interventions are expected to cushion farmers against price fluctuations, improve incomes and strengthen confidence in agricultural production.
He added that the measures would also reinforce Ghana’s strategic food reserves and enhance national food security, particularly during emergencies such as natural disasters, pandemics and other unforeseen disruptions.
“The Ministry remains committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure that farmers in Atebubu-Amantin and across the country receive the necessary production and marketing support to sustain agricultural growth,” he said.
Mr Dumelo explained that beneficiaries of the free input programme are being selected through recognised farmer cooperatives.
He said cooperatives for maize, rice, tomato and beans farmers would serve as the channels for distributing the inputs in Atebubu-Amantin and other districts.