The government has with immediate effect placed a ban on the export of grains including maize, rice, and soya bean, according to the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong.
According to the sector minister, this directive, effective from now to January 2025, is to check the severe drought that has sparked widespread concerns about food security and the livelihood of thousands of farmers in the northern part of the country.
The affected regions have been without rain for over two months, with the extended dry spell stunting crop growth and leaving farmers with little hope for a successful harvest.
The Agric Minister, during a press briefing, indicated that the affected regions contribute about 62 percent of the country’s grain supply.
Maize, rice, groundnut, soya beans, sorghum, millet and yam are the most widely affected crops across these regions.
The government’s directive will ensure the availability of these critical crops on the domestic market.
Any farmer with stock interested in selling their grains has been advised to contact the district directorate across the country, or the Directorate of Crops, Ministry of Agriculture.
Presently, farmers risk losing GH₵ 7.4 billion as a result of potential crop failure due to the dry spell.