Garu (UE/R), April 12, GNA - Cotton farmers in the Upper East Region have threatened to expose cheating clerks referred to as Community Based Agents (CBAs) who they accuse of compounding their problems. The farmers alleged that CBAs sold out fertilizer and pesticides meant for them, and in some instances, adjusted the weighing scale to cheat because many of them could not read and write. This came up at a forum in Garu organised by the Cotton Growers Association to deliberate on the problems of farmers and solicit Government support to save the industry from collapse.

The farmers said as a result of the rampant cheating, they did not make enough money and cannot afford needed inputs for their farms. They complained of lack of bullocks to prepare their lands, as well as their inability to afford spraying cans, fertilizers and pesticides. The farmers reiterated their appeal to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to help them sustain the industry. They said they were not sure if they would be able to farm this year because prices of inputs were too high.