Millennium Challenge Account, subsidized fertilizer propel bumper food harvest

Credit line from the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) and government subsidy on fertilizer is propelling bumper food harvest in the Hohoe area.

Mr George Agbemavor, a farmer from Gbi-Wegbe, near Hohoe, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview that the expected good rice and maize harvest would require some government input to ensure farmers made profits.

The farmer, who had come to pick up subsidized fertilizer at Greenshield Agro-Chemicals at Hohoe, suggested government made provisions and arrangements to buy the staples for use under the Schools Feeding Programme.

Mr Agbemavor said government should sustain the policy to subsidize fertilizer to boost agriculture in the country.

Mr Kumah Ameyibor, Manager of Greenshield Agro Chemicals, said 19,000 farmers got subsidized fertiliser from his shop in 2008 while 12,000 farmers have so far benefited this year.

Mr Geoffrey Kwaku Honu, Hohoe Municipal Director of Agriculture, said large scale farmers were unable to secure fertilizer required under the scheme and that the system was being monitored by his unit to prevent abuse.

Under the scheme officers of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture give coupons at discounts, redeemed by government, to farmers on application to pick up fertilizers from designated shops.

Source: GNA