Ghana: Dry spells trigger GH¢22.2bn crop losses

Published 2024년 10월 17일

Tridge summary

The Ghana Grains Council (GGC) has highlighted the impact of dry spells and drought conditions on agricultural productivity in Ghana, with 1.8 million hectares of land affected, leading to losses worth GH¢22.2 billion in 2023 and 2024. The Northern and Savannah Regions, crucial for maize, millet, sorghum, and rice production, have been hit the hardest. The GGC identifies low productivity, inconsistent input access for farmers, global market fluctuations, climate variability, galamsey, and post-harvest losses as challenges. The Grains Forum emphasized the need for sustainable farming practices and investment in rural infrastructure to enhance smallholders' profitability and food security.

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Original content

By Wisdom JONNY-NUEKPE Data from the Ghana Grains Council (GGC) indicate that dry spells and drought conditions have affected 1.8 million hectares of agricultural land in the country, resulting in crop revenue losses amounting to some GH¢22.2billion in 2023 and 2024. The Council noted that the Northern and Savannah Regions – which are responsible for a significant portion of the country’s maize, millet, sorghum and rice – were hit the hardest. According to GGC, maize yields fell by 35 percent and rice production by 25 percent, with millet and sorghum yields dropping by some 20 percent this year. The Council’s Executive Secretary, Emily Boahen – who was addressing stakeholders at the Ghana Grains Forum in Accra on Tuesday, said grains, particularly maize, have become essential to the country’s economy and their cultivation must be prioritised. She said this commodity alone accounted for half of the country’s total cereal production, with over two million smallholder farmers ...

Source: Thebftonline