Wa West Agric Director calls for stronger government support after difficult farming year

Officials in the Wa West District are raising alarms after farmers in the area experienced a difficult production year due to erratic rainfall, soaring input costs, and poor market returns. The District Director of Food and Agriculture, Rashid Ibrahim, is urging the government to step up support for farmers ahead of the next planting season.

In a media interview, Mr. Ibrahim described the season as “challenging and punishing” for farmers. Many could not afford essential farming inputs such as fertilizers and improved seeds, as costs soared above what smallholder farmers could manage. The erratic rainfall pattern compounded these difficulties, leading to low harvest yields for many.

Even for those farmers who managed to produce crops, the weak market demand and low prices undermined profitability. Some have been forced to sell produce at prices barely covering their costs, casting doubts on the sustainability of farming under the current conditions.

Recognising the plight of farmers, Mr. Ibrahim has appealed for stronger government subsidies for farming inputs, improved extension services, and access to markets. He argues that without such interventions, many smallholder farmers may abandon agriculture, threatening local food production and rural livelihoods.

Despite the hardships, agricultural officers have praised the resilience of farmers who still managed to bring produce like maize, groundnuts, plantain, and even livestock to exhibitions during the recent Farmers’ Day events. Their survival, the officers say, depends heavily on government support, improved input affordability, and better market conditions.

The call from Wa West echoes broader concerns across the country, as high input costs, climate variability, and market instability continue to threaten the viability of farming as a livelihood. Experts and farmer unions warn that without coordinated government intervention, including subsidies, irrigation infrastructure, and guaranteed market access, the gains made in agriculture could be reversed, leading to reduced production and food insecurity.

As Ghana enters 2026, stakeholders say meaningful support for farmers must be a priority to ensure stability for households that depend on agriculture, strengthen national food security, and protect the backbone of rural economies.