The Upper West Regional office of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture in collaboration with Antika Company Limited has organized a one-day workshop in Wa for community-based Agro-dealers and out-growers on the 2012 Seed and Fertilizer Subsidy Policy of the Government.

Mr. Methadius Yeldie Bashiru Suglo, Upper West Regional Desk Officer in charge of the Seed and Fertilizer Subsidy Programme, said the policy, which was then known as the Fertilizer Subsidy Policy, was instituted in 2008 by the government.

He said it was to serve as a measure to help address food insecurity facing the country as a result of the 2007 droughts and floods coupled with the 2008 world economic melt-down.

He said in 2012, following several forums by organizations as well as farmer groups and associations, the improved seed component was added to the policy by the government to make both fertilizer and seed affordable and accessible to farmers.

Mr. Suglo said to prevent some of the challenges encountered in the past with regards to the fertilizer distribution, farmers were now required to obtain the farmers’ past book from the District Agricultural Officers to enable them to have access to the subsidized seed and fertilizer for this year.

Mr. Abdulai Antiku, Managing Director of Antika Company Limited, the sole supplier of the improved seed in the Upper West Region, said the policy would not be properly implemented if stakeholders were not educated to understand it.

He presented prizes to 10 agro-dealers and out-growers and said the prizes were meant to recognize their hard work and ingenuity, and to encourage them to work harder.

He expressed gratitude to ADVANCE and MTN for collaborating to introduce the mobile money system for farmers to help them save time and reduce traveling risk.**