President John Mahama has directed the Minister of Food and Agriculture to distribute fertilisers for free this year to farmers, instead of the usual subsidised costs.

Speaking in the Afram Plains South Constituency at a sod-cutting ceremony to begin the construction of a Farmer Service Centre in the area and other parts of the country, he said the gesture is in response to last year’s food glut and the losses suffered by some farmers, aimed at mitigating the impact on them.

Last year, Ghana experienced a food glut, with key crops such as cereals, grains, vegetables, and other staples far exceeding demand.

The oversupply caused farm gate prices to drop sharply, leaving many farmers, especially smallholders in areas like the Afram Plains South Constituency, with financial losses and, in some cases, unsold or wasted crops.

"In the past year, due to a food glut, most farmers have been running at a loss. Imported fertilisers are usually provided to farmers at a subsidised price.

"However, owing to the challenges they faced last year, I have instructed the Ministry of Agriculture to distribute them free of charge. Therefore, this year, the fertilisers will not be sold to you,'' he said.