Smallholder farmers throughout Ghana are urgently appealing to the government for the immediate disbursement of funds for the national fertilizer subsidy program. They caution that any further delays could severely impact livelihoods and undermine food production for the 2026 farming season.
The farmers report that administrative obstacles have left many without access to subsidized fertilizer at a critical juncture in the planting calendar. Consequently, they are compelled to either purchase expensive commercial inputs or reduce their farm sizes.
This appeal coincides with the Ministry of Agriculture’s scheduled distribution of 40,000 bags of fertilizer on Tuesday, June 15, 2026. The sector Minister, Eric Opoku, stated that this initiative is part of a comprehensive strategy to support smallholder farmers by providing essential inputs to enhance yields and improve livelihoods.
Minister Opoku highlighted that the fertilizer distribution aims to benefit thousands of farmers, especially those involved in the cultivation of staple food crops. In addition to input challenges, farmers are also facing severe market difficulties.
Numerous grain producers, particularly maize and rice farmers, have experienced significant losses from the previous farming season due to market surpluses, which resulted in steep price declines and substantial post-harvest losses. With limited storage facilities and inadequate market access, large quantities of produce remained unsold, exacerbating financial difficulties across farming communities.
There is a concern that the combination of high input costs and poor market returns could lead to widespread hardship in some of the nation’s most productive agricultural regions.
Mr. Douglas Annor, President of the Peasant Farmers Association (PFA), described the situation as alarming, emphasizing that farmers are already burdened by rising production costs and low returns on their produce. He disclosed that the association had formally contacted the government on the matter but is still awaiting a response.
“We have formally written to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture regarding this critical issue, but we are yet to receive a response,” Mr. Annor stated. He urged the government to expedite the release of subsidized fertilizer to prevent further losses among farmers.
According to the PFA, the delay stems from a funding impasse between the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, responsible for the distribution of subsidized fertilizer, and the Ministry of Finance, which has yet to release the necessary funds.
This situation has left many growers without essential farm inputs, despite the government’s commitment to revitalizing the agricultural sector. Farmers in major food-producing areas such as Ejura, Nkoranza, Techiman, Goaso, and Sefwi Wiawso report that they have not benefited from fertilizer subsidies since 2025. Many have observed declining crop performance, shrinking farm sizes, and increasing post-harvest losses as they struggle with rising input costs and weak market demand.
“The farms are hungry,” stated Opanin Kwaku Ntiamoah, a veteran farmer from Goaso. “Without fertilizer, the crops cannot grow well, and without good harvests, we cannot take care of our families.”
Farmers are now calling for immediate action from both the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, warning that further delays could jeopardize national food security and the future of farming in Ghana.
Source: The Ghanaian Farmer
