The National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) has disclosed that it has requested at least GH¢770 million to effectively address the ongoing food glut being experienced nationwide.
Although the company expects an allocation of GH¢200 million in the 2026 national budget, its Chief Executive Officer, George Abradu-Otoo, describes the amount as “a drop in the ocean.”
Speaking to the media, Mr Abradu-Otoo said the current glut has exposed long-standing funding challenges facing the Buffer Stock Company, which has historically lacked direct financial support to buy excess produce from farmers.
He disclosed that despite the limited funds, the company has deployed its contracted agents to farm gates to purchase surplus food crops for storage in its warehouses.
“Initially, we were given GH¢100 million. The minister wrote to me recently that they have added another GH¢100 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,” Mr Abradu-Otoo said. He added that for many years, no government had ever provided direct funding for Buffer Stock to mop up 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,” he stated.
“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 GH¢100 million.”
There have been widespread reports of food gluts across key farming areas, with farmers struggling to find ready markets for their produce, leading to significant post-harvest losses.
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