Rice farmers in Asutsuare, Kadjanya and Akuse in the Shai Osudoku District of the Eastern Region are facing severe financial hardship as large quantities of harvested rice remain unsold, leading to significant post-harvest losses.

The situation is particularly critical at the Asutsuare rice irrigation scheme, one of the country’s major rice-producing hubs, which spans over 4,000 hectares and supports both smallholder and commercial farmers.

Farmers say warehouses are filled to capacity, forcing many to leave excess produce exposed, where it risks spoilage. Despite investments in mechanisation and irrigation, they argue that the lack of a reliable market continues to undermine their efforts.

The crisis has also taken a human toll.

Reports indicate that a farmer, identified as Zola, allegedly died by suicide after struggling to repay a bank loan linked to his farming activities.

Authorities have not publicly confirmed details surrounding the incident.

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According to Philip Akpoka Anumah, President of the Osudoku Rice Farmers Association, low pricing remains a major challenge.

He noted that the GHS350 per bag offered by buffer stock authorities falls below production costs, worsening farmers’ losses.

Farmers further attribute their challenges to the continued influx of imported rice, which they say is reducing demand for locally produced rice and affecting prices.

They also expressed disappointment over unfulfilled assurances by the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, and the Minister for Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, who reportedly promised interventions, including buffer stock purchases, during a recent visit to the area.

In addition, concerns have been raised over stalled rehabilitation works on sections of the irrigation scheme, leaving more than a thousand farmers inactive for over a year.

The farmers are now calling for urgent government intervention, including improved market access, fair pricing, and completion of infrastructure projects, warning that continued inaction could severely impact local rice production and rural livelihoods.