Ketu North Member of Parliament (MP), Mr. Eric Edem Agbana, has secured support from the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) to provide rice farmers in the municipality with a sustainable and guaranteed market for their produce.
Mr. Agbana made a special appeal to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NAFCO, Mr. George Abredu-Otoo, to address the long-standing marketing challenges facing rice producers in the area.
Following the discussions, NAFCO has agreed to: Operationalize the warehouse in Ketu North that was built by the previous government but has remained unused;
Purchase rice from local farmers at competitive prices under the NAFCO Food Reserves Programme; and Engage with farmer associations on a regular basis to guarantee them a reliable market throughout the year.
On Wednesday, Mr. Abredu-Otoo visited Ketu North to see the facility at first hand. He was accompanied by the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr. Martin Amenaki, who led him and his team to inspect the warehouse.
Mr. George Abredu-Otoo, emphasised NAFCO’s commitment to supporting farmers across the country, noting that rice production in Ketu North holds great potential for boosting Ghana’s food security.
“Our role as NAFCO is not only to stabilize prices but also to give our farmers confidence that their produce will always have a home in the national reserves. This warehouse will soon become fully operational to serve the people of this municipality,” he assured.
Mr. Agbana expressed gratitude to NAFCO for responding swiftly to his appeal.
“This intervention is a lifeline for our hardworking rice farmers. For years, they have struggled with post-harvest losses due to lack of a structured market. With NAFCO stepping in, we can now assure our farmers that their sweat will not go to waste,” he said.
The MCE, Mr. Amenaki, described the initiative as a practical step towards promoting agribusiness and creating jobs for the youth.
“Ketu North is known for rice cultivation. With this development, farmers can focus more on increasing yields without the fear of market losses. It also means more employment opportunities in areas such as milling, packaging, and transportation,” he said.
Farmer associations in the municipality have also welcomed the development, describing it as a “dream come true.”
“We have often harvested more than we could sell, and this discouraged many farmers. Now, with NAFCO ready to buy, we can expand our farms and support our families better,” said Mr. Gabriel Atsu, a rice farmer from Avalavi.
Stakeholders say the intervention will not only secure livelihoods but also encourage more investment in rice farming, making Ketu North a major hub in Ghana’s quest for food self-sufficiency.
Source: Access Agric
