Ghana’s food security depends on affordable farm technology, reliable markets and stronger post-harvest infrastructure, the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) has said, warning that production gains alone will not guarantee better incomes for farmers or stable food supplies.
The Association said smallholder farmers continued to face climate change, limited mechanisation, post-harvest losses and weak market linkages, which constrained productivity and threatened livelihoods.
In a statement to mark World Food Day, observed on October 16 under the theme “Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow,” PFAG called for practical, affordable and accessible agricultural innovations tailored to the needs of farmers.
Mr Bismark Nortey, Executive Director of PFAG, said agricultural innovation must address the everyday challenges of farmers rather than focus solely on advanced technologies that many smallholders could not afford.
He said improved seeds, irrigation systems, climate information services, digital extension support, soil-health practices, agroecology, storage facilities and local processing could strengthen productivity and make farming more resilient.
However, he stressed that such interventions would have limited impact without affordable access, effective implementation and reliable markets for agricultural produce.
The Association said prolonged dry spells and erratic rainfall in the Kassena area of the Upper East Region were threatening crop establishment, yields and household food security.
It called for timely climate information, drought-tolerant seed varieties, appropriate irrigation systems and practical extension services to help farmers manage changing weather conditions.
PFAG also identified limited access to affordable tractors, planters, harvesters, threshers and other agricultural equipment as a major constraint, contributing to labour-intensive operations, production delays and post-harvest losses.
It urged the Government and other stakeholders to expand access to mechanisation services, particularly for women and young farmers, while investing in irrigation, water management and climate-resilient farming practices.
On market access, the Association cited tomato production in parts of the Volta Region and Ada, where seasonal gluts had left farmers struggling to earn adequate returns despite increased production.
It said inadequate storage facilities, limited processing capacity and unreliable markets meant that higher output did not necessarily translate into higher incomes.
Similar challenges confronted rice and maize farmers, highlighting the need for stronger produce aggregation systems, expanded local processing, improved storage infrastructure and predictable market arrangements.
Addressing these constraints, PFAG said, would help reduce food losses, improve farmers’ earnings and strengthen the availability of locally produced food.
The Association also called for innovative measures to protect rice farms from destruction by migratory birds, which continued to threaten farmers’ output.
PFAG urged the Government, development partners, academic institutions, financial institutions and private-sector players to invest in agricultural infrastructure and improve farmers’ access to land, finance, technology, training and markets.
It further called for fairer market arrangements and targeted interventions for women and young farmers, who often faced barriers to accessing productive resources.
The Association said farmer organisations must be involved in designing and implementing agricultural programmes to ensure that investments reflected local conditions and produced measurable results.
Mr Nortey said achieving food security required coordinated action among farmers, government, researchers, businesses, development partners and consumers.
He urged consumers to support local food production by patronising locally grown produce and reducing food waste.
PFAG reaffirmed its vision of “A life of dignity for the peasant farmer,” calling for a food system that recognised farmers not only as producers but also as knowledge holders, entrepreneurs and partners in national development.
