Former Research Scientist with the Savannah Agricultural Research Institute (SARI) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Professor Roger Kanton has lamented that, there is no policy governing agricultural loan in Ghana.
He made this statement during a public lecture organized by the Alumuni of Swedru Senior High School dubbed Swedru Conversation on the theme, feeding ourselves as a nation; Perspective on revolutionizing our agricultural fortunes on February 12, 2024 at the Asante Hall of Alisa Hotel, North Ridge in Accra.
According to Professor Kanton, there are no proper funds or policy stipulated to support farmers in our current economy thus, being a major challenge most farmers face in the country as well as taxes on agricultural machinery and equipment making farmers very reluctant to produce.
In furtherance to this, he called on government to scrap any tax on agricultural machinery and equipment.
“ It is hereby proposed that taxes on all manner of agricultural farm machinery and equipment be removed so as to make it easier for import to bring in the desired machinery and equipment to boost agriculture. Also government and private sector players should be guided as to which machinery and equipment are required by farmers and in high demand”, he urged.
Prof. Kanton further emphasized that, there is the need for Ghanaian farmers to form a union to come together as one family to voice out their grievances and challenges to the government and key stakeholders.
“ In one of the above there is the urgent need for Ghanaian farmers to come together and form a solid non-partisan ‘National Union of Ghanaian Farmer (NUGFA)“, the former agricultural scientist suggested.
