Rice farmers in Builsa selling produce at give-away prices

Farmers in Builsa, the district that produces the most rice in the Upper East Region, are operating at a loss because a combination of poor road systems and the farms’ remote locations prevent them from reaching marketplaces.

As a result, they are forced to sell their produce to market women who come to their farms without scales and offer prices well below market value.

A farmer complained that he could not pay school fees and bank loans. He even finds himself unable to pay for the repair of farming equipment.

A researcher, Richard Ananga recommended that the government establish a National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) outlet in Fumbisi that can pay these farmers fair prices for their produce.

Failing this, Mr. Ananga said that the next best solution is for the government to contract private businesses to buy the produce at a fair rate on NAFCO’s behalf and deliver it to an existing NAFCO outlet.