The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has pledged his commitment to revitalise the soybean and cotton farming sectors in the five northern regions if elected in the December elections.
During a town hall meeting in Tamale, he expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s decision to ban soybean exportation, which he believed had detrimental effects on the industry.
Mahama, who announced that he is into soybean farming, criticised the Akufo-Addo and Bawumia government’s ban, stating that it has significantly impacted farmers’ livelihoods.
He shared his struggles, mentioning that despite harvesting over a thousand bags of soybeans in the previous crop season, he could not turn a profit due to the low market price.
The former President highlighted that the current price of a bag of soybean at only GH¢400 is insufficient to cover production costs such as diesel for tractors, agrochemicals, and labour.
According to Mr. Mahama, some farmers are considering shifting to other agricultural sectors, such as onion cultivation, due to the unprofitability of soybean farming under the export ban.
Mahama promised resources and initiatives under the next NDC government to revive the five northern regions’ cotton industry and make it profitable again.
Responding to concerns raised by a group of cotton farmers, he pledged to support the soybean and cotton farmers, who hope to revitalise their industries.
