Maize farmers in Atebubu/Amantin demand government intervention over prices

Maize farmers in the Atebubu/Amantin Municipality have expressed worry about the depreciation price of maize and called for government intervention.

According to Dickson Williams Agyei, the Chairman of the Atebubu Area Farmers Association, the market price of maize had witnessed sharp decline, with the price of a bag of maize reducing from GH¢1,200 to GH¢400 in the enclave.

He was speaking at the new year meeting of the association held at Atebubu, worrying that the reduction of the price of maize had put many farmers into debts.

Agyei said the farmers were now struggling to cover production costs as others intended to stop the cultivation and production of maize to reduce the price reduction.

He said if the pricing situation was not addressed immediately, the maize production sector in the area would collapse and that could lead to food insufficiency and hunger as many households in the area largely depended on maize.

Agyei said now the farmers required government support like input costs and seedlings to revive their farms and stay in business called on the government to also look for export opportunities for the farmers.