Farmers in the Kadjebi District of the Oti Region are pushing for at least 15% of Ghana’s 2027 national budget to be allocated to agriculture, warning that inadequate financing, rising production costs and limited irrigation infrastructure could undermine domestic food production and increase reliance on imports.
The demand comes ahead of the November 12 presentation of the 2027 Budget Statement and Economic Policy by Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, with farmers arguing that stronger public investment is necessary to improve productivity, strengthen local food supply chains and create jobs.
Although the Government allocated GH¢13.6 billion to agriculture-related sectors, including agriculture, aquaculture and agribusiness, in the 2026 Budget, representing an increase of GH¢1.5 billion over the previous year’s direct baseline allocation, some industry players say the funding has yet to translate into the level of support required by farmers.
They argue that inadequate and irregular release of budgeted funds continues to limit the effectiveness of agricultural programmes, leaving farmers struggling with expensive inputs, poor access to financing and insufficient infrastructure.
Speaking to the media, Mr. Divine Kofi Agede, an animal husbandry farmer based in Kadjebi, said increased investment in agriculture was necessary to strengthen the sector’s contribution to employment, poverty reduction and economic growth.
He said agriculture remained a major source of livelihoods, particularly in rural communities, but its potential to support national development was constrained by inadequate access to improved seeds, fertilisers, machinery, irrigation facilities and extension services.
Mr. Agede, however, cautioned that increasing the budgetary allocation alone would not resolve the sector’s challenges without improvements in the utilisation and distribution of public funds.
“What matters most is how effectively the allocated funds are used to support farmers and improve agricultural production,” he said.
He called for targeted interventions to improve access to affordable credit, subsidised farm inputs and modern equipment, particularly for smallholder farmers who account for a significant share of domestic agricultural production.
He also urged the Government to increase investment in irrigation infrastructure, rural roads and post-harvest management facilities to reduce losses, lower transportation costs and improve farmers’ earnings.
Mr. Samuel Fato, Kadjebi District Chief Farmer, said sustained financial support was necessary to enable farmers to expand production and contribute more effectively to national food security.
He identified access to affordable inputs, credit facilities and improved farming technologies as critical interventions to address rising production costs.
He also stressed the need for timely disbursement of agricultural funds and effective implementation of government programmes, warning that delayed releases could undermine the intended benefits of budgetary allocations.
For vegetable production, farmers say irrigation investment could have an additional economic benefit by reducing Ghana’s dependence on imported produce.
Ms. Gloria Asimenu, the 2017 Kadjebi District Best Vegetable Farmer, said the provision of irrigation dams and reliable water facilities would enable farmers to produce vegetables throughout the year, particularly during the dry season when rainfall-dependent production becomes difficult.
She said improved irrigation systems could support continuous cultivation of tomatoes and other vegetables, strengthen domestic supply and reduce Ghana’s reliance on imports from Burkina Faso.
The development of irrigation infrastructure, she said, would also help farmers adapt to erratic rainfall patterns and prolonged dry spells, which increasingly affect production planning and farm incomes.
Ms. Asimenu noted that expanding local vegetable production would improve food availability, create employment and increase incomes within farming communities.
The farmers said the 2027 Budget must therefore go beyond announcing higher allocations to demonstrate a clear commitment to agricultural financing through timely fund releases, targeted infrastructure investment and effective implementation of programmes.
For Ghana, the debate over agricultural funding also carries implications for food import expenditure, domestic manufacturing and rural economic activity.
Improving local production of vegetables and other food commodities could strengthen supply chains, reduce import dependence and create opportunities for businesses involved in processing, storage, transportation and distribution.
They urged the Government to ensure that increased public investment translated into measurable improvements in farm productivity, farmers’ incomes and sustainable food security.
