Ghana's No1 Agric News Portal
Saturday, January 28, 2023
  • About Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • News
  • Farmers’ Stories
    • Women in Agriculture
    • PWDs in Agriculture
  • Business
    • Finance
    • Agri-Projects
  • Technology
  • Africa/World
  • Agri-Produce
    • Cash Crops
    • Food Crops
    • Livestock
    • Fruits & Vegetables
    • Fish Farming
  • More
    • Features
    • Opinions
    • Press Releases
    • Policies
    • Media
      • Podcast
      • Photos
      • Videos
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Farmers’ Stories
    • Women in Agriculture
    • PWDs in Agriculture
  • Business
    • Finance
    • Agri-Projects
  • Technology
  • Africa/World
  • Agri-Produce
    • Cash Crops
    • Food Crops
    • Livestock
    • Fruits & Vegetables
    • Fish Farming
  • More
    • Features
    • Opinions
    • Press Releases
    • Policies
    • Media
      • Podcast
      • Photos
      • Videos
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home Features

Impact of Covid-19 on food security in Ghana and way forward

April 1, 2020
in Features, News
0 0
291
Impact of Covid-19 on food security in Ghana and way forward
0
SHARES
277
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

By: Linda Dede Nyanya Godji

Ghana recorded its first corona virus cases on March 12, 2020 involving a Norwegian Embassy official and another Ghanaian working in Turkey, both of whom returned to Ghana in the previous week. Since then the country keeps recording new cases on a daily basis. The initial confirmed cases were recorded in Accra, Tema and Obuasi causing fear and panic among the populace. As at today, April 1, 2020, the total confirmed cases stand at 106, comprising 106 cases discovered through general surveillance of the population, 79 others were also recorded among 1030 returnees put under compulsory quarantine and 10 Guinean nationals put on quarantine in Tamale.

In view of the increases in the recorded cases, government announced some measures to curb a total outbreak of the disease. The first was to impose a ban on all social gatherings including festivals, conferences, funerals, weddings and all religious activities. Schools have also been closed indefinitely. With Greater Accra and Greater Kumasi Now described as epic centres of the virus, government announced further enhanced measures in those areas, culminating in the imposition of restrictions on movements for a period of three weeks.

The question is as the fear and panic continues in the midst of a steadily increasing confirmed cases, what will be the adverse effect on players in the food value chain?

Are our farmers still fully aware of the task ahead and the full implication of this crisis?

What are we doing differently in these times of crisis in our food value chain?

What are the policy directions?

Impact on the importation of food

Ghana imports majority of its food supply ranging from rice, cooking oils and poultry. With our major trading partners in emergency and lockdowns, it is obvious that supply from these countries will reduce or better still the available ones will be for the highest bidders.

Impact on Local food production

The crisis is hitting Ghana in its farming season and with the restriction in movement in Accra and Kumasi, the distribution of farm produce or suppliers will be adversely affected.

Even long before the partial lockdown was announced, most traders who transport farm produce from farms to the major cities have decided to either slow or halt that process because of the scare of contracting the virus from the major cities. This resulted in price hikes of foodstuffs. “Gari” which is one of the cheapest foods in Ghana has become so expensive as the price has tripled in a matter of days.

Despite the exemptions given to the food sector during the lockdown, these traders are still not actively seen in the transportation of foodstuffs to the cities, hence the prices of food still on the higher side and the ordinary Ghanaian not able to afford.

In Ghana, about 90% of the food we eat or prepare are fresh from the farm and not processed and if fresh foods are not coming from the farms to the markets and homes in the cities how can the ordinary Ghanaian live?

Farmers into perishable commodities would be hit the most.

Reports from some farmers in the upper East region show that their produce are going waste especially for the pepper farmers as traders are scared of contracting the virus.

Are farmers sensitized on the need to increase production? Have we put in place the needed plans and support systems to boost increased production? Let your answers linger in your mind.

The truth is we cannot and we should not use ordinary measures and practices to solve extraordinary problems.

 Way forward.

The most reliable way to solve the problem will be to boost local production by aggressively engaging with farmers to understand the possible crisis ahead for an increased production and diversification to more production of food crops and crops with short span. These engagements should be backed by actions and policies to increase farming supplies including fertilizers and weedicides to boost production.

As strategies to boost food production are put in place, there is also the need to consider the possible post-harvest losses that come with it. This we cannot afford to entertain hence, measures need to be taken to ensure proper and adequate storing of farm produce.  Government warehouse projects will be important than ever.

This is the time for planning, government through the ministry of Food and Agriculture must as a matter of urgency meet with the relevant stakeholders  including farmers who are on the ground to come out with the right strategies to reduce the possible food security issues that are likely to stare in our faces  especially during post Covid- 19.

Tags: FarmersFood SecurityLinda Dede Nyanya GodjiPost covid -19transportation of food
Please login to join discussion
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
I never used chemical fertilisers but I excelled – 2017 2nd National best farmer

Farming is the most Lucrative job – CEO of Okata Farms

June 6, 2020
Sugarcane farmers seek Gov’t support ahead of Sugar Factory reopening

Sugarcane farmers seek Gov’t support ahead of Sugar Factory reopening

June 12, 2020
The 2021 Livestock, Poultry, and Fisheries (LiPF) training trade show launched.

The 2021 Livestock, Poultry, and Fisheries (LiPF) training trade show launched.

March 6, 2021
2020 National Farmers’ Day Launched

2020 National Farmers’ Day Launched

September 29, 2020
The 2021 Livestock, Poultry, and Fisheries (LiPF) training trade show launched.

The 2021 Livestock, Poultry, and Fisheries (LiPF) training trade show launched.

12637
Resurgence of ‘fall armyworms’ – Farmers warned

Resurgence of ‘fall armyworms’ – Farmers warned

4425
New Agro Intervention Project Launched to Alleviate Poverty – Kintampo

New Agro Intervention Project Launched to Alleviate Poverty – Kintampo

3503
2020 National Farmers’ Day Launched

2020 National Farmers’ Day Launched

2587
Crops Research Institute signs MoU to improve cassava utilization

Crops Research Institute signs MoU to improve cassava utilization

January 18, 2023

GSMA AgriTech Accelerator Programme

January 18, 2023
Nine agribusiness ideas to consider in Africa in 2023

Nine agribusiness ideas to consider in Africa in 2023.

January 16, 2023
Ghana's excessive dependence on Donors for its agric production expenditure is threat.

Ghana’s excessive dependence on Donors for its agric production expenditure is threat.

January 16, 2023
Agri Ghana Online

Agrighanaonline.com is your most authentic agricultural website. We bring you all agricultural news and information from Ghana and across the world.

  • News
  • Farmers’ Stories
  • Business
  • Technology
  • Africa/World
  • Agri-Produce
  • More

© 2020 Agri Ghana Online -Developed By Marvbel Koncepts.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Farmers’ Stories
    • Women in Agriculture
    • PWDs in Agriculture
  • Business
    • Finance
    • Agri-Projects
  • Technology
  • Africa/World
  • Agri-Produce
    • Cash Crops
    • Food Crops
    • Livestock
    • Fruits & Vegetables
    • Fish Farming
  • More
    • Features
    • Opinions
    • Press Releases
    • Policies
    • Media
      • Podcast
      • Photos
      • Videos

© 2020 Agri Ghana Online -Developed By Marvbel Koncepts.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Create New Account!

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In