The Ghana Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending, (GIRSAL) is calling for a review of the Fertilizer Subsidy Programme introduced by the government under the planting for food and jobs initiative in 2017.

GIRSAL in their assessment indicated that the initiative was bedeviled with smuggling cases that confirm the hike in prices of food currently.

Speaking to Joy Business, Chief Operations Officer for GIRSAL, Takyi Sraha pushed for a more robust monitoring system to support the programme.

“In terms of the monitoring, I think the ministry were on top of it but we need more. We need to look at a revision of the whole subsidy programme”, he said.

Mr. Sraha called for a private sector approach in dealing with challenges affecting the fertilizer subsidy programme.

He stressed on the need for the government to address other related cost affecting the programme.

“There should be private sector led approach going forward in dealing with the issues confronting the programme. Instead of government providing cash subsidy, we think in-kind will rather help. If certain costs are taking out, then we can save these farmers”, he stressed.

The Fertilizer Subsidy Programme was introduced to increase crop productivity, annual production, GDP, exports and household welfare.

It was introduced to reduce unemployment and allow food industry production to meet domestic demand.

The Ghana Incentive-Based Risk-Sharing System for Agricultural Lending Project (GIRSAL) is designed within the context of Ghana’s ongoing agricultural transformation including the Ghana Shared Growth and Development Agenda II” (GSGDA II).