SUBSIDY ON FERTILIZER MAKES IMPACT

The government intervention on some basic fertilizers through subsidy mostly used by subsistence farmers is making a considerable impact at the grassroots level.

The positive impact of this policy is that, it made the purchasing of the fertilizers accessible and affordable as a result of the heavy subsidy and the evenly distribution of the commodities across the municipality as compared to the past when farmers had to journey over a considerable distance to get the items at a concentrated area.

The Bawku Municipal Information Officer Mr. James Dorgbetor said this when he granted an interview to this reporter.

Visit to Bawku Agricultural Office and some Agricultural Extension Agencies in the municipality saw a large crowd of farmers trying to buy some quantity.

For example at Yara Company, an Agricultural Extension Agency located at Zawse of about 8km from Bawku township has the mandate to distribute the fertilizers to farmers in that locality, therefore, making it convenient and comfortable for farmers to access it.

Some of the fertilizers subsided by the government where Urea, Sulphate of Ammonia (SOA), NPK (15:15:15) and NPK (23: 10: 05)

Before the reduction Urea was sold at GH¢ 49.00 per bag, but now sold at GH¢ 26.00, sulphate of Ammonia which was sold at GH ¢ 31.00 now selling at GH¢18.00, while N.P.K 15:15:15 with old price of GH ¢ 48.00 is currently selling at GH ¢ 26.00and N.P.K 23:10:05 with old price of GH ¢ 45.00, however is at GH ¢ 24.00.

The Bawku Municipal Information Officer Mr. James Dorgbetor explained that in order to access the fertilizers, farmers and prospective buyers have to get a presented coupon from Ministry of Food and Agricultural Office (MOFA), District Agricultural office (DAO) or Agricultural Extension office (A.E.O)

Mr. Dorgbetor said farmers who have not heard the good news are being advised and encouraged to take advantage of this policy to increase their production consequently improve their lives and avert the shortage of food experienced last year in the region.

On the conflict Mr. Dorgbetor said however that, there has been improvement in the conflict situation in the municipality and its environs as a result of the effort of all concerned stakeholders especially the security in the recent time.

Mr. Dorgbetor therefore, advised all and Sundry to comply with the by-laws in and around the municipality and move about their normal activities but cautiously, especially during these trying times where people seemed to have been taken the law into their own hands.

He said also, there has been improvement in the hospital attendance as the Statistical office has been recording huge figures daily as contrary reported in some media houses that the hospital had been closed down.


Godwin Nkunu.
ISD BAWKU