The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) has stated that two million Ghanaians will be vulnerable to become food insecure if COVID disrupts this year’s planting season.
In a report published on the COVID-19 pandemic on 15 May 2020, AGRA noted that Ghana’s restrictions on public gathering is making it difficult for its farmer and community extension training programmes.
Ghana’s partial lockdown has been lifted and no restrictions on persons and goods but land borders with neighbouring countries - Togo, Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso - remained closed.
According to AGRA’s report although Ghana’s food reserve is mostly in the hands of the private sector, aggregators and processors “about 1.5 million people in Ghana (approximately 5% of the population) are food insecure and two million people are vulnerable to become food insecure if COVID disrupts planting season for 2020” adding that “planting has commenced and 60 per cent of farmers demand for seeds and fertiliser is secured.”
AGRA said it is leading a campaign to mobilise support for the 2020 planting season.
The support includes the provision of PPE to support the work of agriculture front line staff, reach out to farmers, facilitate farmer access to private sector driven input and out markets, and digital payment system.
Others include to facilitate area yield insurance for 10,000 farmers, bundle agro-input with insurance and provide digital extension service through SMS messaging, radio and videos.
The Government of Ghana’s response has been to facilitate access of one million smallholder farmers to seed and fertiliser for the 2020 planting season at 50 per cent subsidy and also develop new lands under irrigation and inland valleys for rice production.
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