NASTAG announces seed price reduction for farmers

The National Seed Trade Association of Ghana (NASTAG) has announced a landmark decision to reduce the prices of certified seeds by 20–25 percent for the 2026 farming season.

The move is aimed at easing the financial burden on Ghanaian farmers while accelerating the nationwide adoption of high-quality, improved seeds.

The announcement was contained in a press release issued and signed by the President of NASTAG, Seidu Abdulai Mubarak.

According to him, the price reduction underscores NASTAG’s strong commitment to the growth and sustainability of Ghana’s agricultural sector.

“By making quality seeds more accessible, we empower farmers to achieve higher yields, improve resilience to climate variability, and enhance their productivity and incomes,” he stated.

Mubarak described the 20–25 percent seed price reduction as a bold, farmer-centric investment in Ghana’s agricultural future.

“We are ready to work hand-in-hand with the government, through the Feed Ghana Programme, to deliver quality seeds to every farm,” he said.

He also used the opportunity to urge the government to address the pressing market glut to safeguard farmer profits and ensure the long-term viability of Ghana’s food systems.

“Together, we can sow the seeds of a more prosperous and food-secure Ghana,” he added.

To maximise the impact of the initiative and ensure widespread adoption, Mubarak formally called for a strategic partnership with the government’s flagship Feed Ghana Programme.

“We believe a collaborative effort is essential. We propose joint initiatives such as integrated seed distribution, agronomic support within Feed Ghana’s operational framework, and awareness campaigns to educate farmers on the superior returns on investment from using certified seeds,” he explained.

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He noted that such a partnership would ensure the benefits of reduced seed prices translate directly into increased food security, improved farmers’ livelihoods and the realisation of the Feed Ghana Programme’s core objectives.

Touching on the current market glut, Mubarak said NASTAG is deeply concerned about the situation affecting key staples, particularly maize, soya and rice.

He explained that the glut has resulted in critically low demand, plummeting prices and the inability of farmers to sell their produce, leading to significant financial losses.

“This situation creates a devastating cycle where farmers are left without capital to purchase quality seeds for the next season, thereby threatening future productivity and national food security,” he noted.

He added that the entire agricultural value chain—from seed producers, aggregators and processors to input dealers—is adversely affected, stifling growth and investment.

While commending the government’s efforts in agricultural development, Mubarak urgently called for immediate intervention to address the glut crisis.

Specifically, he appealed for:

The activation and scaling up of buffer stock mechanisms to absorb excess produce at sustainable prices;

The fast-tracking of policies to stimulate local industrial demand for maize, soya and rice, particularly through the poultry, livestock, and rice milling industries; and

The facilitation of export pathways to neighbouring countries to reduce domestic oversupply.

According to him, resolving the market glut crisis is critical to protecting farmers’ incomes, stabilising the agricultural value chain, and ensuring that gains from initiatives such as seed price reduction and the Feed Ghana Programme are not eroded.

AM

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