Okro farmers in Asuano, a farming community in the Nkoranza area of the Bono East Region, are raising concerns over declining sales and unfair market practices, which they say are threatening their livelihoods.
According to Mr. Isaac Boakye, leader of the okro farmers in the community, buyers are offering unfairly low prices for their produce, making it difficult for them to sustain their farming business despite the crop’s high demand and nutritional value.
“The low prices and unfair bargaining from buyers have led to a significant decline in sales, leaving many of us struggling to make ends meet,” he lamented in an interview.
In addition to market challenges, Mr. Boakye highlighted the difficulties faced in cultivating the crop due to the region’s tough soil conditions, which require costly irrigation.
He also noted that the rising prices of farming inputs such as fertilizers, weedicides, and pesticides have further compounded their financial struggles.
“We are over 100 farmers cultivating about 500 acres of okro, and many of us have taken loans that we are now struggling to repay due to low sales,” he added.
Other farmers in the community also voiced their frustration, citing inconsistent pricing and dwindling demand as major setbacks.
“We are really suffering,” one farmer said, blaming the situation on some buyers setting their own prices, which do not reflect the cost of production.
The farmers are now calling on the government and relevant stakeholders to step in and provide the necessary support to help them overcome these challenges.
They warn that if urgent action is not taken, the sustainability of okro farming in the area could be at risk.
