In a move to provide immediate relief to local farmers, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Hon. John Dumelo, has embarked on a fact-finding mission in the Upper East Region.
Speaking in an exclusive interview on Gumzang FM’s “Beogey Tengmaalug Sohug,” the Minister revealed that his visit was prompted by TV3’s Upper East Regional Correspondant, Alhaji Rabiu Tanko’s reports of struggling pepper farmers in Zaare.
Hon. Dumelo emphasized that his presence in the field is about moving beyond paperwork to witness the reality of the agricultural sector, to ascertain the exact tonnages of pepper and onions currently available and hear directly from the farmers.
“I need to come and see what their issue is and then based on that, we’ll be able to propose some solutions,” Dumelo stated, adding that his tour would extend to several surrounding communities.
A major highlight of the Minister’s address was the government’s strategy to tackle the perennial problem of post-harvest losses, particularly regarding onions.
Recognizing that infrastructure takes time, Dumelo noted that the government’s “immediate” priority is connecting farmers with ready buyers. He confirmed that plans are already underway to build modern storage facilities across the country to stabilize the supply chain.
The Ministry is establishing dedicated farm markets at the regional, constituency, and district levels to ensure farmers have a consistent place to sell their produce.
“As long as you farm and farm at the right time, there will always be good markets for all of us,” the Minister encouraged.
Beyond crisis management, Hon. John Dumelo outlined a vision for a more resilient agricultural model. He urged farmers to move toward all-year-round production rather than relying solely on seasonal harvests.
By engaging farmers directly and providing the necessary market security, the Ministry aims to boost national production and make farming a more attractive venture for the Ghanaian youth.
The Deputy Minister concluded with an inspiring call to the younger generation, describing agriculture as a viable and lucrative career path. He maintained that with the right governmental support and timely cultivation, the sector remains one of the strongest pillars for personal and national economic growth.