The Member of Parliament for Akwatia, Bernard Bediako Baidoo, is urging Ghanaians to take a more balanced view of the recent agricultural losses affecting farmers nationwide.

Speaking on the JoyNews AM Show on March 23, 2026, he explained that not all the damage can be blamed on delayed government action.

According to him, a large portion of the losses, especially perishable goods, had already gone bad before any intervention could realistically reach the farmers.

“Some of the losses did not just come as a result of the government's inability. Some were perishable, and so they even got destroyed before the intervention,” he said.

His comments come amid growing public debate over whether government support for farmers has been timely and effective, particularly as the country prepares for the 2026 farming season.

Baidoo acknowledged that concerns about delays are understandable but warned against painting the entire situation as a policy failure.

He stressed that it is inaccurate to assume that large volumes of produce, such as rice and maize, are simply left to waste because of government inaction.

He also clarified that recent support measures announced by the government should not be seen as a one-time fix. Instead, he described them as part of ongoing engagement with farmers, an effort to gradually address deeper challenges in the sector.

On the question of whether government support could worsen food surpluses, the MP pushed back strongly.

He argued that farmers will continue to plant crops regardless of government involvement, making state support essential rather than optional.

“The alternative is not to refuse to help the farmer. The farmer will plant anyway… if the government does not come in, the farmer will go and buy,” he noted.

Beyond the immediate losses, Baidoo pointed to long-standing structural problems, especially the lack of proper storage facilities for perishable goods like vegetables.

He admitted that concerns about the country’s buffer stock capacity are valid and need urgent attention.

Looking ahead, he believes the bigger issue lies not just in how much Ghana produces, but in what Ghanaians choose to consume.

He called for a shift in mindset, encouraging citizens to prioritise locally produced food as a way of supporting farmers and reducing waste.

“I think the bigger problem now is not necessarily production, but our consumption pattern as a people,” he said.

His remarks come amid a significant policy change introduced by President John Dramani Mahama, who has moved away from a subsidy-based approach to a fully free input distribution system through the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

The initiative aims to support both cocoa and staple crop farmers by providing fertilisers, insecticides, spraying machines, and other essential inputs at no cost.

Farmers are required to register at designated Farmer Service Centres, with 50 expected to be set up nationwide. Some of these centres are already operational in areas like Kwahu Afram Plains South.

President Mahama orders free fertiliser distribution to support farmers after food glut

The broader goal is to help farmers recover from rising production costs and recent food gluts, while strengthening food security and improving livelihoods in rural communities.

Baidoo also highlighted the political side of agricultural reforms, stressing that collaboration across party lines could make policies more effective and sustainable.

He believes that reducing political divisions around such critical issues will ultimately benefit farmers and the country as a whole.

NA/MA

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