# Agricultural production and food security challenges

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/agricultural-production-and-food-security-challenges
> Updated: 2026-09-21T02:12:25.000Z. Sources: 12. Developments: 4.

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.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-21: 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 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ghana-expands-fertilizer-production-to-reduce-import-reliance

### 2026-09-12: 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.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ghanaian-agriculture-faces-seed-dependency-and-market-flooding

### 2026-09-11: 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.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ghanaian-farmers-face-varying-levels-of-fertilizer-support

### 2026-09-03: 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.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/agricultural-input-costs-and-shortages-threaten-farming-production

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Cite as: Agricultural production and food security challenges. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/agricultural-production-and-food-security-challenges