The Director of Operations for the Ghana National Association of Farmers and Fishermen (GNAFF), Eric Sosu, has urged the government to introduce a comprehensive support package to improve the welfare of farmers and boost productivity in the agriculture sector.

Speaking in an interview on Accra 100.5 FM's Ghana Yensom morning show hosted by Odehyeaba Kofi Essuman on Friday, December 5, Mr. Sosu outlined key proposals that he believes would directly impact farmers and drive national food security if adopted by the government.

He called for the establishment of a special scholarship scheme to support the education of farmers’ children, arguing that many struggle to fund their wards’ education despite their contribution to the nation.

Mr. Sosu also advocated for a drastic reduction in interest rates on agricultural loans to a maximum of 2 percent, stressing that the current rates discourage investment and make it difficult for farmers to expand their operations.

Alongside this proposal, he renewed the Association’s long-standing call for the creation of a dedicated Farmers Bank to specifically serve the financial needs of farmers and fishers.

He noted that ADB, which was established to  assist farmers, has over the years shifted its core focus  

For the fishing sector, he appealed to the government to reduce the cost of outboard motors, which he described as a major challenge for fishermen who already face rising operational costs.

He further emphasised the need for a robust insurance programme to protect farmers against losses, as well as improved security measures to curb theft of produce, livestock and farm equipment, especially in remote farming communities.

Mr. Sosu said adopting these measures would empower farmers, strengthen the agricultural sector, and reaffirm the country’s commitment to supporting the people who feed the nation.