The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has stated that there is no looming food crisis in the country.

It said on the contrary, there is enough stock of food this season to meet the country’s requirement. The Deputy Minister of Agriculture incharge of Crops, Dr Majeed Haroun, in an interview in Accra yesterday, explained that the apparent shortage of food on the market and its resultant high prices is the result of the stockpile in the northern part of the country, particularly around Damongo, Bimbila, Tumu, Nkwanta and Kete Krachi.

Dr. Haroun, however, gave the assurance that the government has put in place the necessary arrangements to ensure a balance in the country’s food ditribution. Commenting on the irregular rainfall pattern in the country, particularly in the north, the deputy minister said this will not affect targets for the year and food security in the country.He did not state figures.

“There were similar patterns in the last few years, but at the end of the year, the total amount of rainfall recorded in the season did not change,” Dr Haroun said. The Ministry, he said, is now drawing up a programme to change the farmers’ total dependency on seasonal rainfall. The programme will b total dependence on seasonal rainfall.

The programme will be based on the rainfall and weather record of farming areas in the past 10 years. Meanwhile, the ministry will intensify its irrigation efforts next year to support rice production in the country. According to Dr Haroun, the government will cut rice imports by 30 per cent next year, in line with its policy to boost local production of rice.

The deputy minister also touched on the issue of yellow maize importation, and said it is meant to be used strictly as poultry feed and not to make up for food shortages.