Farmers call for review of fuel price

Tamale (Northern Region) - Cotton farmers in the Upper East, Upper West and Northern Regions on Thursday appealed to the government to review the price of fuel, especially kerosene, which they said was an essential commodity for the rural people.

Patrick A. Apullah, National Vice-Chairman of the Ghana Cotton Farmers Association, who made the call on behalf of the farmers, on Thursday at Tamale said, the recent price hike in kerosene was suicidal.

He noted: '' As at now, farmers have to sell between 15 and 20 kilograms of maize so that they could pay for lorry fare to the regional capitals to buy kerosene.'' Apullah said the situation might compel many farmers to sell their food reserves meant for feeding their families during the lean season.

He said farmers who have been encouraged to use liquefied petroleum gas for cooking might revert to the use of charcoal and firewood. Apullah stated that the situation could result in the cutting of more trees for fuel thereby causing in environmental degradation.

He urged the government to buy food surpluses for storage for sale at affordable prices during the lean season. Apullah also appealed to the authorities to create a tractor pool in the three northern regions so that the farmers could have access to the facility at affordable fees during the farming season. He asked the government to ensure that credit was released to farmers at the appropriate time to facilitate agriculture activities.