By Mohammed AWAL ([email protected])
The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana has voiced strong opposition to using genetically modified organism (GMO) seeds in Phase Two of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) programme.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ engagement workshop on implementing Phase two of the PFJ in Accra, the association’s national president, Weipa Addo Awal Adugwala, said they want improved traditional varieties from Ghanaian scientists rather than GMO seeds.
The president said Ghanaian farmers want control over the food system and food security of the nation, and that GMO seeds could threaten farmers’ control over the food supply chain.
Mr. Adugwala further argued that traditional seeds are better suited to local conditions and farming practices. “For us in the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana, we are looking at Planting for Food and Jobs Phase Two. We are collaborating with government because we are key stakeholders, and obviously the inputs that are coming are going to benefit our members.
“But one thing we have always called on government for is we want the inputs that will be supplied to be our traditional seeds, improved varieties by Ghanaian scientists. We have stated time and again that we do not want any GMO seeds to be part of the package government will give to our farmers,” he stated.
He added: “We want to have control over our food system. We want Ghanaians to control and be in charge of the food security of this nation. So, we are ready for Planting for Food and Jobs Phase Two, and the inputs should be inputs that our farmers know and cherish – improved varieties and traditional seeds from our seed growers”.
Phase Two of government’s Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ 2.0), which was launched on August 30, 2023, is expected to create 210,000 new farm-related jobs annually over the next four years. This does not include other jobs along the agricultural value chain – estimated at an annual average of 420,000 over the same period, said President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo when he launched the programme in Tamale.
A five-year master plan for transforming agriculture in the country with a focus on modernisation through the development of a selected commodity value chain and active private sector participation, Phase II of the PFJ, is to be anchored on an input credit system replacing the input subsidy under Phase I.
Mr. Adugwala also expressed worry over the slow pace of farmer registration under Phase Two of the programme. According to him, registration is still ongoing in many parts of the country in the middle of the rainy season.
With only 10-20% of farmers registered so far in some districts, there are concerns about timely distribution of farm inputs. The president said delays could force farmers to buy expensive seeds and fertiliser on the open market, which may reduce planted acreages and ultimately impact food production and supply.
With Ghana already experiencing high food inflation of 40%, any disruption could push prices up over 50%. The national president of the farmers’ group is calling on government to speed up registration by deploying more extension workers or piloting the programme in select areas.
“So, if registration is still ongoing, when are we going to finish this registration before the inputs are given to the farmers? It’s a source of worry to us as farmers because we were thinking, looking at the time, government could pilot this in some districts,” he stated.
Farmer registration for the programme aims to reach over 2 million farmers this year. To register as a farmer or company under PFJ 2.0, certain basic requirements must be met – including access to land, citizenship, possession of a valid Ghana Card and engagement in or readiness to farm prioritised commodities under the programme. Companies must also be officially registered. Registration involves creating a profile and measuring the farm by capturing its dimensions.
