A deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) and Member of Parliament (MP) for Nalerigu/Gambaga, Dr Alfred Tia Sugri, has indicated that the progress made in agriculture will enable the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) to win the December 2012 elections. According to him, the achievements of the NDC in the agricultural sector will be a major bargaining chip for the NDC during the elections, because “it shows how efficient our government has been in improving food production and promoting the welfare of farmers”. He said the progress made in agriculture was overwhelming and this had reflected in the rise in food production, the stability of food prices and the increase in cash crops. Dr Tia Sugri made these remarks at a durbar held in Lengbinsi in the East Mamprusi District of the Northern Region, during which the sod was cut for the commencement of work on the Walewale-Gambaga road. He told his constituents, particularly farmers, women and the youth, to strive to benefit from the various agricultural programmes that the government had implemented. Dr Tia Sugri mentioned the 30 per cent subsidy on agricultural machinery and the 50 per cent subsidy of fertiliser as two of the programmes that had contributed positively to the progress made in agriculture. “As farmers, you can own your farm implements through the subsidy programme. You can acquire tractors, planters and harvesters to facilitate land preparation, planting and harvesting,” he stated. Dr Tia Sugri also mentioned the block farm concept, which he noted had “produced a lot of impetus for food production and has reduced poverty considerably in the Mamprusi area.” He said the programme had encouraged many people, especially the youth, to go into agriculture because of the support and attention that the government had given to the programme. The Deputy Agric Minister again pointed out that the law establishing the Export Development and Investment Fund (EDIF) had been amended by Parliament to allow the fund to give out concessionary loans to farmers. “The fund now makes loans available to farmers at 12.5 per cent, which is far lower than commercial rates of many banks,” he noted. He hinted of more enhanced packages for farmers if the NDC was retained in office, explaining that the government was currently exploring better ways of improving the lot of farmers. Dr Tia Sugri, however, cautioned farmers in the Mamprugu area to avoid the practice of smuggling subsidised fertiliser to neighbouring countries. He described those who were involved in the practice as betrayers of the nation, adding that “you are stabbing yourselves in the back because if this programme fails, farmers would lose”.