The National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, has announced new minimum farmgate prices for maize, rice, and gari as part of efforts to protect farmers and stabilise the agricultural market.

Under the arrangement, NAFCO will purchase maize at GH¢ 4.50 per kilogram, rice at GH¢ 12.50 per kilogram, and gari at GH¢ 10.00 per kilogram.

This translates to GH¢ 450 per 100kg bag of maize, GH¢ 625 per 50kg bag of rice, and GH¢ 840 per 84kg bag of gari.

According to them, the guaranteed prices are intended to ensure fair returns for farmers while addressing the persistent challenge of surplus produce in the market.

"Farmers are strongly encouraged not to sell their produce below these announced prices. Any farmer experiencing difficulties with buyers who attempt to purchase below the guaranteed prices should sell their stock directly to NAFCO, where they will be assured of the approved price," the Ministry said in a statement.

The Ministry emphasised that the initiative will not only protect farmers’ livelihoods but also strengthen national food security and safeguard the stability of Ghana’s domestic grain market.