Moses Dari Dorlintey|MakNews
Residents of Fian, a predominantly farming community in the Daffiama-Bussie-Issa (DBI) District of the Upper West Region, are raising alarm over the escalating cost of agricultural inputs, describing the situation as a major threat to their livelihoods and the future of farming in the area.
The farmers say the sharp increase in the prices of fertilizers, tractor services, seeds, and other essential farming inputs has made crop production increasingly expensive, leaving many struggling to break even at the end of each farming season. According to them, the rising costs are discouraging both experienced and aspiring farmers from investing in agriculture despite the sector’s importance to food security and the local economy.
Speaking to Radio MAK, several residents expressed frustration that the substantial financial resources committed to farming often yield little profit due to high production costs and fluctuating market conditions. They noted that while farmers continue to work tirelessly to produce food, the economic returns are insufficient to sustain their families or expand their operations.
The residents are therefore calling on the government and relevant stakeholders to introduce practical interventions aimed at easing the burden on farmers. Among their key requests are subsidies on fertilizers and other agricultural inputs, affordable tractor services, and broader support policies that would reduce production costs and improve profitability.
They believe such measures would not only encourage more people to remain in farming but also boost agricultural productivity and contribute to national food security.
Competition from imports
The Assembly Member for the Fian Electoral Area, Hon. Stephen Katuole, who is also engaged in livestock farming, echoed the concerns of the community and called for the improvement of the market for local produce. He described the current cost of farming as discouraging, especially for hardworking farmers who continue to invest significant resources into agriculture despite the mounting challenges.
According to him, many farmers are struggling to cope with the increasing expenses associated with cultivation and livestock production, making it difficult for them to realize meaningful returns on their investments.
Hon. Katuole further appealed to the government to provide urgent support to farmers through targeted interventions that would reduce production costs and improve market opportunities. He also advocated for measures to limit the importation of rice and other food commodities, arguing that such imports create stiff competition for locally produced goods and undermine the efforts of domestic farmers.
He stressed that strengthening the market for locally grown produce would enable farmers to reap the full benefits of their hard work, encourage increased production, and stimulate economic growth in rural communities.
As the farming season progresses, residents of Fian hope their concerns will receive prompt attention, emphasizing that sustained investment in local agriculture remains critical to improving livelihoods and ensuring food security in the district and beyond.
