Many farmers in the Upper East Region are looking forward to bumper harvests from their farms this year, following a favourable weather and timely supplies of inputs and other assistance under the Planting for Food and Jobs Programme.
The general fear among many large scale and commercial farmers however is over the non availability of ready markets aside the purchases by the National Food Buffer Stock Company.
Members of the Commercial Farmers Association in the Builsa South District in the Upper East Region are among farmers who fear they may loose portions of their investments if they are to rely only on the National Food Buffer Stock Company as the only surest market.
Some association members who spoke with the Daily Guide at the Fumbisi Rice Valley said selling to only the National Food Buffer Stock Company comes with a long wait, which results in the lose of portions of their produce and leaves with in pain.
The Commercial Farmers Association in the Builsa South District has therefore called on interested agro-produce buyers on the local and international markets to come to their aid to prevent post-harvest loses.
The farmers have hinted of selling on the basis of first-come first-serve so as to protect their interest and investment.
The Organizer of the Commercial Farmers Association in the Builsa South District, Enoch Akisiba for example, explained that the search for more markets ahead of the harvest has becomes necessary due to bad past experience and the need to protect their investments.
“We don’t want to see a repeat of what happened last year, that is why we are on the market looking for buyers before we harvest. We have identified clients and we are trying to meet their quantity and quality. This year, we don’t want to loose any portion of our investment. This year we mean business.” He said.
According to Mr. Akisiba, many of the members of the Commercial Farmers Association have been empowered to cultivate large acres of farm lands and are sure of producing more food for the country this season.
FROM: Ebo Bruce-Quansah, Fumbisi