Upper West: PFJ fertiliser will boost harvest, says farmers

Farmers in Sakai and surrounding areas in the Sissala East District of the Upper West Region have received much-needed fertiliser as part of phase two of the governments Planting for Food and Jobs program.

This initiative, designed to alleviate the financial burden on small-scale farmers and boost agricultural productivity, has been met with overwhelming gratitude by farming communities in the Upper west region.

The distribution of the fertiliser comes at a crucial time, as many farmers had been grappling with the challenges of the planting season without adequate resources. With the arrival of the fertiliser, there is renewed hope for a successful harvest, a sentiment echoed by several farmers in the region.

Saani Kantongboku, a farmer in Sakai, could hardly contain his excitement as he spoke about the impact the fertilizer distribution has already had on the community. “You can see the excitement everywhere,” he said with a broad smile.

“Everyone is happy, every farmer is happy, and you see donkey carts loading supplies to their homes. This will really ease our farming stress this season.”

Kantongboku explained that the availability of fertiliser will make a significant difference in the farming efforts of many in the community, particularly women who had previously struggled to afford enough farming inputs.

“Most women who couldn’t afford two or three bags can now afford them, and maybe even more to supplement their little resources and be able to farm effectively,” he added.

The Planting for Food and Jobs program (PFJ) is part of a broader government initiative aimed at supporting smallholder farmers and enhancing food security in Ghana. By providing subsidised agricultural inputs, the program seeks to improve crop yields and ensure that even the most economically disadvantaged farmers can participate fully in the agricultural season.

Kartu Buni Sam emphasised the importance of the program for those who could not afford to buy fertiliser on their own. “This initiative is a lifeline for us,” he stated.

“We don’t have the money to buy what’s in the market, but now we have fertilizer we can use to grow food. Where we can feed our families, that’s the most important thing.”

Kartu’s gratitude was evident as he expressed his appreciation for the government’s efforts. “I’m very grateful to the government for bringing this kind of program. I would be very happy if we witnessed more of this in the future. I would thank each and every one who has a hand in this kind of program.”

However, while the arrival of the fertilizer has been met with relief, there have also been concerns about the timing. Many farmers, including Kartu Buni Sam, had already begun cultivating their farms in anticipation of the planting season, and the delay in receiving fertiliser had caused significant anxiety.

“It was very frustrating because we didn’t have money to buy fertiliser, and its delay left us worried,” Kartu Buni admitted.

“We were just thinking about how to get fertiliser. Even though it will help in a way, this season itself the rain has also disturbed us a little. But now that it’s here, we can apply it to our crops, and maybe at the end of the season, we’ll get something to stabilize our stomachs.”

The unpredictability of the rainy season has added another layer of complexity to the farming challenges in the region. Farmers have had to contend with inconsistent rainfall, which has affected the growth of their crops. The availability of fertiliser is expected to mitigate some of these challenges by enhancing soil fertility and promoting healthier crop growth.

Dudimah Adam Abdul Rahim, another farmer in Sakai, shared his thoughts on the PFJ program and the initial doubts that surrounded its implementation.

“When we first heard about the planting for food and jobs program, we were skeptical because the planting season was already underway, and we hadn’t received any input. But then, slowly, the information started coming in, and eventually, we received the inputs,” Rahim recalled.

Rahim explained that the delay in receiving fertiliser had caused concern among farmers, as the planting season was progressing without any signs of support. “We were thinking that as the time has passed, we are not hearing anything, nobody’s saying anything, and no officer is even coming to tell us that maybe the inputs are coming,” he said.

“But later on, we heard that the information was coming one by one, and they told us that if you see your message, you get the input.”

Despite the initial confusion, Rahim noted that many farmers were eventually able to access the fertiliser, even if they had not received official notifications.

“Some people have not even seen their message, but they are getting the input. Some people too, their names are not even there, but they are getting the input. What the government told us is now that we even know that the things will come.”

The distribution of fertiliser in Sakai is part of the second batch of supplies provided under the government’s PFJ initiative. While this has brought relief to many, there is a strong desire among farmers for continued support throughout the season.

“This is the first that we are receiving, and we think that more will come. We’ve been assured by the agriculture officer from Tumu that more supplies will be sent to Sissala East, especially Sakai,” Rahim said.

Reporting by Alhassan Tajudeen in the Upper West Region

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