The Programmes Officer of the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG), Mr Bismark Nortey, has called on the government to ensure that smallholder farmers are provided with the necessary support.

He said the government must ensure there is a market for small- and medium-scale growers to sell their produce.

Speaking on Farmers’ Day on Friday 6 December 2019, Mr Nortey said their challenges have been increasing over the years despite some interventions by the government.

“Inasmuch as we and the government are looking forward to celebrating the day, we expect the government to provide our needs instead of always initiating programmes. We plead for the programmes to be implemented to the extent that the objectives will be achieved,” he said.

He further pleaded with the government to enhance small-scale farming, adding that they supply about 70-80% of the produce consumed in the country.

“We do not have large scale but in terms of numbers and output, we produce about 70- 80% of the food we eat in the country. If you buy your tomatoes, you are consuming the effort of the peasant farmer but not the commercial farmers,” he told Accra-based UTV.