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Ghana Faces EU Ban on Fish Imports Unless Fishing Zones Are Sanitised

Ghana could face a complete EU ban on fish imports by 2026 unless it resolves longstanding issues in its marine environment. The European Union issued two yellow cards (2013 and 2021) regarding illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing . As the clock ticks, Ghana must implement stronger regulations now. 1. EU’s Yellow Cards & Looming Red Card The yellow cards issued by the EU serve as a formal warning system. Continued non-compliance could escalate to a red card, triggering a permanent trade halt . 2. Why the Ban Matters Economic Impact: Fish is a top Ghana-EU export, generating life-changing foreign exchange. A ban would endanger livelihoods of over 3 million people in the industry Food Security: Fish makes up around 60% of animal protein consumption; overfishing due to illegal practices (like “saiko”) threatens this vital resource . 3. Root Causes […]

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Experts push for sustainable agric practices. . . To enhance food security

Amid escalating concerns over food insecurity and climate change, agricultural experts across Ghana are championing sustainable farming practices as a vital strategy to bolster food production and ensure long-term resilience. Key recommendations include adopting agroecological methods like crop rotation, organic fertilization, and integrated pest management. These practices not only enhance soil health and biodiversity but also mitigate environmental degradation. Technological innovations are playing a pivotal role in this transformation. Digital tools and platforms are empowering Ghanaian smallholder farmers with real-time data, enabling precision agriculture and efficient resource management. Efforts are also underway to reduce post-harvest losses through improved storage solutions and infrastructure. Initiatives like solar-powered cold storage facilities are helping preserve produce quality, thereby enhancing food availability and farmers' incomes. Training programs are being implemented to educate farmers on climate-smart agriculture, focusing on practices that increase productivity while conserving natural […]

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Tuber: Togo Produced 2.51 million Tonnes in 2024, Up 5.5% YoY

Togo produced 2,515,000 tonnes of tubers in 2024, against 2,406,614 tonnes in 2023. The Ministry of Agriculture reported this data in the Citizens’ Budget, highlighting a steady upward trend since 2022, when production rose by 7.5% to 2,238,529 tonnes. The Plateaux and Centrale regions produced the most, 768,864 tonnes and 519,708 tonnes, respectively. The increased output coincides with Lomé’s 2024-2028 plan to develop the root and tuber sector. Under this plan, the government seeks to raise CFA2.34 billion to fund development actions. The Ministry of Agriculture and the Interprofessional Council for the Root and Tuber Plant Sector (CIFPRT) developed the four-year strategy. It was validated in 2023.

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Local Rice Farmers Struggle as Imports Flood Market

Rice farmers at the Kpong Irrigation Scheme are facing tough times due to rising costs, labor shortages, and stiff competition from imported rice. Despite their ability to produce high-quality seeds and harvest up to three times a year, market conditions have made it difficult to sustain production.Solomon Buenor, General Secretary of the Seed Growers Association, criticized the government's timing of large rice imports, which flood the market just as local farmers are ready to sell. He also lamented the lack of financial support from banks, including the Agricultural Development Bank, making it hard for farmers to expand their operations.Labor shortages have also hit the farmers, leaving only two out of nine seed growers able to plant this season. The absence of harvesting equipment further slows down production.However, a major boost came in 2017 when the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) […]

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Severe Drought Devastates Crops Across Oti Region.

The Oti Region is facing a severe agricultural crisis as a prolonged drought has affected over 58,700 hectares of crops, representing nearly half of the region's cultivated lands. According to the Regional Directorate of Agriculture, unpredictable rainfall has left 76,016 farmers, including 58,001 men and 18,015 women, grappling with massive losses.Staple crops like maize, rice, yam, groundnut, cassava, and millet have been particularly hard-hit, threatening food security in the area. Among the affected districts, Biakoye District suffered the most, with over 93,000 farmers impacted. Other districts, such as Jasikan and Krachi East, also reported significant losses.The drought’s persistent nature has left farmers who depend on rain-fed agriculture with little hope for recovery. Regional Director of Agriculture, O'Brien Nyarko, called attention to the need for intervention as the crisis deepens.The dire situation has sparked concerns about food production, livelihoods, and long-term […]

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US Allocates $3 Million to Boost Agriculture and Health in Northern Ghana.

The United States, through USAID, has pledged $3 million (over GH₵48 million) to support farmers and enhance healthcare in northern Ghana. The funding addresses challenges caused by prolonged droughts and limited access to essential health services.Of the total, $1.7 million will aid over 10,000 smallholder farmers with climate-smart agricultural training, inputs for nutritious crops like cowpea and sesame, and resources for poultry and livestock farming. The initiative also facilitates transporting surplus food to areas facing shortages.Meanwhile, $1.3 million is dedicated to improving maternal and child health. This includes establishing community health platforms and introducing "pregnancy schools" to promote better nutrition and pregnancy care.This initiative cements the US as Ghana's top development partner, with USAID contributing over $150 million to various projects in the past year.

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US Allocates $3 Million to Aid Ghana’s Farmers Hit by Dry Spell.

The United States, through USAID, has granted $3 million to support northern Ghana's smallholder farmers and residents affected by a prolonged dry spell. The funding, part of the Feed the Future Resilience in Northern Ghana Systems Strengthening Activity, will improve agricultural resilience, healthcare delivery, and social services in the region.Of the total, $1.7 million will train over 10,000 farmers in climate-smart agriculture, dry season farming, and the cultivation of crops like cowpea, soybean, and moringa. Livestock rearing, including guinea fowls and rabbits, will also be introduced as supplemental livelihoods. Additionally, surplus produce will be transported to food-insecure areas.The remaining $1.3 million is designated for improving maternal and child health services, early childhood development, and nutrition through community health platforms and 'pregnancy schools' for expectant parents.Regional leaders, including USAID Health Office Director Dr. Zohra Balsara and Northern Regional Minister Alhaji Shani […]

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Busted! NIB Stops Smuggled School Feeding Rice in Bono East.

The National Investigation Bureau (NIB) in the Bono East Region intercepted a Kia Rhino truck allegedly smuggling 56 bags of rice meant for schools under the Ghana School Feeding Programme. The rice, branded "Lucy," was supposed to be delivered to Jema SHS and Kintampo SHS but was diverted and offloaded onto two tricycles (Aboboyaa) at Tuobodom.The truck, with registration number AS 9584-14, was seized at Tuobodom in the Techiman North District, and the driver was arrested. Investigations revealed the items were initially picked up from Techiman Senior High School, a designated distribution point.Currently, the impounded truck and tricycles remain in the custody of the Bono East Regional NIB Command in Techiman, as inquiries continue into the suspected diversion of resources intended for schoolchildren.

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Farmers in Central Region Embrace Climate-Resilient Farming for Better Yields.

Fifty-four farmers from Akotokyir, near Cape Coast, have been trained in modern, climate-resilient farming techniques aimed at improving crop yields and tackling the challenges posed by climate change. The training included methods for planting disease-resistant maize and using "neem technology" to protect crops like potatoes from nematodes. Farmers also learned about intercropping and techniques for growing high-nutrient crops such as purple and orange-fleshed sweet potatoes.The initiative, led by experts from the Crop Research Institute and AICCRA, aims to equip farmers with knowledge to boost productivity and improve food security. Many farmers, like Mary Odoom, shared how climate change had reduced their yields, but they expressed hope in the new methods. The project also advocates for irrigation support to further enhance farming success.

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Ghanaian Farmers Received No Government Support in 2023.

The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana, led by Executive Director Bismark Nortey, disclosed that in 2023, farmers across Ghana did not receive any support from the government. This revelation comes despite a budget allocation exceeding GH₵2 billion to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.Speaking on JoyNews’ The Probe on November 10, Nortey explained that while the initial Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) initiative ended in 2022, the updated PFJ 2.0 took a year to implement, leaving farmers without subsidies or essential inputs throughout 2023. This lack of support compounded existing challenges, such as climate change impacts, illegal mining, and rising input costs, worsening conditions for farmers.Nortey questioned how the allocated funds were spent, given that farmers saw no direct benefits. He emphasized the need for reliable government intervention to help farmers meet challenges and ensure agricultural growth in Ghana.

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