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4 clusters · 12 sources · 19 days · First seen · Last updated

Agricultural production and food security challenges

Overview

Agricultural sectors in Ghana and Bangladesh are facing significant threats to food security due to rising costs and supply chain vulnerabilities. In Ghana and Bangladesh, high fertiliser prices and acute shortages have squeezed farmer margins and led to civil unrest, such as road blockades in Bangladesh districts like Kurigram.

In Ghana, the crisis is compounded by a heavy dependency on imported seeds; the National Seed Trade Association of Ghana (NASTAG) reports that approximately 90% of certified vegetable seeds are imported. Furthermore, the influx of imported commodities like maize, rice, and soybeans has flooded local markets, preventing Ghanaian farmers from selling their harvests even when lowering prices. During policy consultations in Accra, NPP presidential candidate Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia characterized these market conditions as ‘unacceptable’ and ‘deeply troubling,’ pledging reforms to protect local producers, ensure food sovereignty, and invest in agricultural research. NASTAG has also raised concerns regarding regulatory gaps in the National Seed Policy, infrastructure shortfalls, and alleged interference by politically connected traders in public seed procurement.

To mitigate import reliance, Ghana is pursuing industrial investments in fertilizer production. Following the 2024 import of over 554,000 tons of fertilizer, President John Dramani Mahama announced that the Chinese Sentuo Group plans to build a local fertilizer plant. This follows the August 2025 commissioning of a $3.5 million blending facility by Invess Agriculture Ltd and a $5 billion partnership with Qatari group Al Jedad Holdings at the Atuabo petroleum hub to produce ammonia and urea.

Efforts to distribute existing fertilizer have yielded inconsistent results. While the Nkwanta South Municipality distributed over 1,000 bags of NPK, farmers in the Wa West District report significant delays, threatening yields and driving youth toward urban migration or illegal mining.

Entities

Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation · Mahamudu Bawumia · Daniel Fahene Acquaye · John Dramani Mahama · New Patriotic Party

Timeline

  1. 3 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Ghana expands fertilizer production to reduce import reliance

    Ghana is expanding domestic fertilizer production through major investments from Sentuo Group, Invess Agriculture, and Al Jedad Holdings to reduce its high dependence on imports.

  2. 11 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 6 sources
    Ghanaian agriculture faces seed dependency and market flooding

    Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia addressed Ghana's agricultural vulnerabilities, noting that 90% of vegetable seeds are imported and local farmers struggle to sell crops due to massive commodity imports.

  3. 12 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Ghanaian farmers face varying levels of fertilizer support

    While Nkwanta South farmers received 1,000 bags of fertilizer to boost yields, farmers in Yeleyiri report delays in government support, fueling food security concerns and youth migration.

  4. 21 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Agricultural input costs and shortages threaten farming production

    Farmers in Ghana and Bangladesh face food security risks as rising fertiliser costs and acute supply shortages threaten production and increase reliance on imports.

Sources

adomonline.com · afrikactus.com · ameyawdebrah.com · chale.news · ecofinagency.com · ghanaguardian.com · myjoyonline.com · onuaonline.com · theghanareport.com · thehighstreetjournal.com · tob.news · upperwestmedia.net

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history