Senior Lecturer at the University of Cape Coast’s Department of Crop Science, Dr. Frank Ackah, has hailed the government’s plan to purchase surplus grains from farmers as an opportunity to control prices and ensure a reliable market ahead of the 2025 harvest.
“When the government is able to buy from the farmers and store, he can then sell it to the dealers and control the price,” Dr. Ackah told the High Street Journal.
He stressed that there must be proper planning and an estimate of grains that the government can purchase from farmers in every region, so that funds can be allocated annually in the budget, giving assurance to farmers.
The comments follow the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) directive the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) to purchase surplus grains nationwide for the first time on such a large scale. Officials say the move will minimize post-harvest losses, stabilize prices, and strengthen Ghana’s food security.
The intervention comes after warnings from the Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana (CAG), which described the sector as “on the brink of crisis,” citing more than 100,000 metric tonnes of unsold maize and rice from the 2024 harvest. CAG said cheap imports and smuggling have forced farmers to sell below production cost, trapped them in debt, and threatened local processors.
“With the 2025 harvest season fast approaching, the problem could intensify, undermining livelihoods, collapsing mills, and placing national food security at risk,” the Chamber warned. It also raised concerns about smuggled rice and maize evading duties and quality checks, alleging collusion between smugglers and corrupt border officials, which weakens the domestic value chain.
Experts say the government’s intervention is a proactive measure to support farmers and safeguard the food supply. By buying surplus grains and controlling distribution, the government can stabilize the market, protect incomes, and maintain strategic reserves for emergencies. Dr. Ackah noted that this approach, if properly budgeted and planned, would provide farmers with consistent market assurance and strengthen Ghana’s agricultural sector.
MoFA has assured that the initiative will involve coordination with relevant agencies and stakeholders to ensure every grain produced finds a sustainable and profitable market.
