GARDJA cited low agricultural production, low level of technology, inadequate number of agricultural extension officers, shortage and high cost of labour and prevalence of pests and diseases as some of the challenges confronting the agricultural sector.

 The others are high cost of farm inputs, limited credit facilities, frequent land disputes, poor marketing network and facilities, and low prices of farm produce.

 This was contained in a press statement issued and jointly signed by Mr Richmond Frimpong and Mr Ernest Kofi Adu, the President and the Secretary of GARDJA respectively to mark the celebration of this year’s National Farmers Day.

The statement said the use of modern agricultural technologies was limited, and farm work was highly manpower-based.

“No doubt, this is thwarting efforts of farmers to ensuring increase in productivity toward achieving food security and profitability.The statement said the high cost of funding and the cumbersome procedures, coupled with lack of collateral demanded by banks and other financial institutions has made it difficult for farmers to get the needed financial assistance for their farming activities.

The Journalists were not happy why the national policy on fertilizer subsidy deliberately excluded phosphate fertilizer, which was badly needed by the people of Upper West Region to grow leguminous crops.

The statement said two-thirds of soils in the Upper West Region were seriously deficient of phosphorus.

The Journalists saluted farmers and fisher folks for their continuous support to food security and contribution to the economy.