NAFCO intensifies warehouse expansion drive after farmers' glut concerns

The National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) has intensified efforts to secure additional storage facilities as it prepares for the next phase of the National Food Reserve Programme.

The programme, which is a government intervention, involves the purchase of excess grains for storage to reduce post-harvest losses, support food security and protect the livelihoods of local farmers.

However, the initial phase of the programme was affected by inadequate storage capacity and limited funding, with several rice and maize farmers complaining about unpurchased produce during a period of significant grain surplus.

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As part of efforts to address these challenges, the Chief Executive Officer of NAFCO, George Abradu-Otoo, has been engaging with officials of state institutions to explore opportunities for expanding storage infrastructure.

During a two-day working visit to the Volta, Oti and parts of the Greater Accra Regions, Abradu-Otoo inspected several warehouse facilities and held discussions on possible rehabilitation and utilisation.

At Tema, he inspected a dilapidated 15,000-metric-ton capacity warehouse belonging to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA). Discussions between NAFCO and MoFA are ongoing for the possible rehabilitation and use of the facility to support rice aggregation within the Shai Hills–Asutuare enclave.

At Juapong, the NAFCO team inspected a warehouse at the defunct Volta Star Textiles Limited, following ongoing discussions between NAFCO and the Ministry of Trade, Industries and Agribusiness. Rehabilitation works on the facility have already commenced.

The NAFCO delegation also inspected a 1,000-metric-ton warehouse at Hohoe, constructed under the One District One Warehouse initiative. Abradu-Otoo directed that weeds around the facility be cleared, minor repairs completed and access improved to allow for immediate use.

In the Oti Region, the team visited a 1,000-metric-ton warehouse at Pai-Katanga in Dambai, where similar maintenance works, including clearing of weeds and minor repairs, were identified.

The visit was accompanied by engagements with regional authorities, including the Regional Ministers for Volta and Oti Regions, James Gunu and John Gyapong, who commended NAFCO’s efforts to strengthen food security and support farmers.

While in the regions, the NAFCO team also visited several second-cycle institutions to assess food supply arrangements and engage school authorities and catering staff.

The schools visited included OLA Girls Senior High School in Ho, Worawora Senior High School, Kpando Technical Institute and E.P Senior High School in Hohoe.

Although school authorities reported adequate food supplies, they raised concerns about limited storage space for commodities delivered to the institutions.

NAFCO said the latest engagements form part of broader efforts to improve storage capacity and ensure the effective implementation of the National Food Reserve Programme.

Earlier this year, Abradu-Otoo undertook similar visits to warehouse facilities in the Eastern, Ashanti, Northern, Upper East, Upper West and Bono Regions.

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