The National Food Buffer Stock Company says it requested at least GH¢770 million to effectively address the issue of food glut currently being experienced across the country.
Although the company is expecting an allocation of GH¢200 million in the 2026 budget, its Chief Executive Officer, George Abradu-Otoo, describes the amount as “a drop in the ocean.”
Speaking to the media, he said the current situation has exposed long-standing funding gaps, noting that the Buffer Stock Company has never received dedicated funds to mop up excess produce from farmers.
He added, however, that the Buffer Stock Company is currently deploying its contracted agents to farm gates to purchase excess produce for storage in its warehouses.
“Initially we were given GHȼ100 [million]. The minister wrote to me recently that they have added another GHȼ100 [million]. I hear in the next budget that will be read on Thursday, there’s some GH¢200 [million] that will come. It’s like a drop in the ocean but I am happy because this is the first time this is happening.
“For so many years, nobody ever gave Buffer Stock money or no government gave Buffer Stock money to go out to the field and mop up the excess produce.
“This is the beginning. The amount of money I requested is far higher than what they have given us now but I am steadfast in the comfort that it is a modest beginning.
“We are in the field now and very soon the noise will go down. Initially we requested GH¢770 million minimally but so far they have given us GHȼ100 [million],” George Abradu-Otoo said.
There have been reports of gluts in key food crops with farmers struggling to find ready markets for their produce.
