The government has announced new minimum guaranteed prices for maize, rice and gari in a move aimed at protecting farmers from losses and ensuring food security.
The Ministry of Food and Agriculture, working with the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO), said the intervention will guarantee fair returns for farmers and prevent buyers from exploiting them.
Under the new arrangement, a kilogram of maize will be purchased at 4.50 cedis, rice at 12.50 cedis and gari at 10 cedis. This translates to 450 cedis for a 100 kilogram bag of maize, 625 cedis for a 50 kilogram bag of rice and 340 cedis for a 34 kilogram bag of gari.
The prices were agreed by the newly formed Producer Price Determination Committee at its first meeting earlier this month. Officials say the move is part of wider measures to address challenges of unsold surplus grains on the market while strengthening the agricultural value chain.
Farmers have been urged not to sell their produce below the announced prices. Those facing pressure from buyers offering less have been advised to sell directly to NAFCO, where they will be assured of the guaranteed rate.
“The Ministry assures all stakeholders that these measures are designed to safeguard farmer livelihoods, protect the integrity of the domestic grain market and strengthen national food security,” the statement said.
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