2021 National Best Farmer Calls for Government Investment in Irrigation Amid Grain Export Ban
The 2021 National Best Farmer, Alhaji Mashud Mohammed, has called on the government to prioritize investment in irrigation infrastructure as a critical step to secure Ghana’s food supply. The C.E.O of Alhaji Mashud Farms emphasized that relying solely on rain-fed agriculture is unsustainable, especially in the face of climate variability.
His comments come in response to the severe drought affecting northern Ghana, which has prompted the government to impose a ban on the export of grains, including maize, rice, and soybeans, as a measure to stabilize food availability within the country. Additionally, the government has announced plans to release GHC 8 billion to bolster domestic food supply during this challenging period.
In an exclusive interview with Zaa News, Alhaji Mashud Mohammed expressed support for the government’s decision to ban grain exports, noting its importance in safeguarding national food security. However, he suggested that the ban on soybeans, a non-staple crop in Ghana, be reconsidered.
“The government’s initiative to ban grains from leaving the country is a step in the right direction. If we don’t feed ourselves, how can we feed others? But I advise that soybeans, which are not part of our staple foods, should be exempted from the ban. Farmers cultivate soybeans to sell and buy food to feed their families. If soybeans cannot be sold, it could put farmers in a difficult situation,” he stressed.
Reflecting on the drought’s impact on food security, Alhaji Mashud highlighted the urgent need for government investment in irrigation infrastructure.
“Most smallholder farmers are already in trouble because they have lost everything. Some have started uprooting their maize crops, and people are predicting a food crisis next year. I believe it has already started. We thought we would have harvested by now and started feeding ourselves, but we haven’t harvested anything,” he lamented.
He urged the government to develop irrigation facilities to support supplementary farming. “This is a wake-up call for the government. We recommend something called supplementary irrigation, where rivers, water bodies, boreholes, and wells can be harnessed for irrigation purposes. If it’s not raining or during drought, farmers can irrigate their farms until the rains return,” he added.
In support of the grain export ban, the Secretary of the General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) for the Northern and Upper East Regions, Wumbie Abdullah, also lauded the government’s decision as a necessary measure to protect the country’s food supply.
However, the ban has not been welcomed by everyone. Grain traders at the Aboabo market in Tamale have voiced their concerns, fearing the ban could lead to the collapse of their businesses.
“The government should reconsider the ban. I believe it could collapse our businesses. What the government should have done is to buy in stocks and then subsidize them for consumers,” one of the traders lamented.
The grain export ban, while seen as a protective measure, has sparked debates on its broader economic impact. The call for improved irrigation infrastructure underscores the need for sustainable solutions to the challenges facing Ghana’s agricultural sector.
Source: Sulemana Alhassan Tarimbia
