Food Crisis Deepens as Imports and Policy Delays Endanger Security

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The Growing Crisis of Agricultural Oversupply in Ghana

An increasing surplus of agricultural produce is causing concern across Ghana, as farmers face difficulties in selling their harvested crops due to weak demand and delayed policy responses. This situation has raised alarm about the country's long-term food security.

Bismark Owusu Nortey, the Executive Director of the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG), has expressed worries that the current oversupply could discourage farmers from planting in the next season. Many are weighing the risks of adding more unsold stock to an already saturated market.

Speaking in an interview, Mr. Nortey highlighted that feedback from farmers nationwide indicates that the situation has not improved and, in some cases, has worsened. He specifically mentioned rice farmers in the northern parts of the country, where some have lost entire fields to bushfires due to delays in harvesting caused by the lack of ready markets for their produce.

The problem is not limited to rice alone. Producers of maize, soya, cassava, and yam, especially in the Oti Region, are also struggling with unsold harvests and declining prices. This widespread issue has created a significant challenge for the agricultural sector.

Factors Contributing to the Surplus

Mr. Nortey attributed the surplus largely to policy decisions made in 2024 when the government allowed large imports of rice and maize to prevent shortages during the dry season. These actions, combined with strong harvests in 2025, led to an oversupply in the market, where available produce exceeds consumer demand.

Prices have dropped significantly, with traders offering as little as GH¢300 for a 100-kilogramme bag of maize—far below the price at which farmers purchased inputs in the previous season. Some farmers have chosen to store their produce in hopes of a price recovery, but this only adds to the existing surplus.

Other factors contributing to the crisis include the influx of imported rice, which has become relatively cheaper due to the appreciation of the cedi. Additionally, consumer preference for foreign rice and persistent smuggling through illegal border routes have further exacerbated the problem.

Government Response and Farmer Challenges

The current situation has placed severe financial strain on farmers and is eroding confidence in the agricultural sector. Mr. Nortey criticized the slow and ineffective response from the government, particularly regarding the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO). He noted that NAFCO had promised to purchase local rice and maize, but the process has been sluggish and lacks urgency.

He recalled that in early November last year, farmers were informed that NAFCO would begin purchasing produce, but there has been little clarity since then regarding procurement methods, despite limited purchases reportedly taking place.

As a longer-term solution, Mr. Nortey supports the government’s policy to procure locally produced food for public institutions such as schools, hospitals, and security agencies. However, he emphasized the need for a clear roadmap to ensure effective implementation. He also called for stronger border controls to curb the smuggling of foreign rice.

Farmers’ Struggles and Calls for Action

Paul Boamey, a farmer in the Oti Region, confirmed the challenges faced by farmers. He stated that produce harvested over the past four months remains largely unsold, with gari processing companies no longer purchasing cassava regularly. Similarly, cereal crops face similar issues, with buyers either unavailable or offering prices far below production costs.

Despite repeated complaints to relevant authorities, farmers have yet to see meaningful intervention, leading to severe financial pressure and harassment from creditors. Seth Agbemavor, a rice farmer and aggregator in the Volta Region, pointed to disruptions following the change of government, which he said led to a halt in purchases by some public and private institutions.

Without urgent and coordinated intervention, PFAG warns that the current glut could undermine farmer livelihoods, reduce future production, and pose longer-term risks to national food security.