Rice farmers have urged the government to prioritise introducing measures, especially in the 2026 mid-year budget, to help them market their produce.
This call was made ahead of the 2026 mid-year budget presentation by the Finance Minister on Thursday, July 23.
Spokesperson for the Rice Producers and Processors Association of Ghana (RIPAG), Dr Charles Nyaaba noted that the cost of production continues to rise, with farmers paying more for fertiliser, agrochemicals, mechanisation services, labour and other essential inputs.
“If the necessary attention is not given and many farmers decide not to produce this year, next year we may see food inflation rising again because food prices have largely driven the decline in inflation we are seeing now, yet farmers are the ones bearing the cost of those gains,” he said
He added “we are looking at a situation where the Finance Minister will create an opportunity for farmers to be able to market whatever they have produced.”
Dr Nyaaba acknowledged the government’s decision to allocate GH¢200 million to purchase rice and maize from local farmers but argued that the intervention has had only a marginal impact.
“Some purchases are being made and contractors have been engaged to buy the commodities, but what they are buying is less than one per cent of what farmers have produced,” he explained.
He also blamed the situation on the influx of imported rice and maize through Ghana’s northern borders saying it is making it difficult for local farmers to compete.
Story by Kofi Nartey
