The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) has called for increased investment in practical, affordable and accessible agricultural innovations to address the challenges confronting smallholder farmers and strengthen the country’s food security.
The Association said innovations in agriculture must respond directly to farmers’ needs, particularly the growing effects of climate change, limited access to mechanisation, post-harvest losses and inadequate market opportunities.
In a press release issued on Friday, October 16, 2026, to commemorate World Food Day under the theme “Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow,” PFAG stressed that agricultural innovation should extend beyond advanced technology to include solutions that build on farmers’ existing knowledge and experience.
The Executive Director of PFAG, Mr Bismark Nortey, said improved seeds, irrigation, climate information, digital extension services, soil-health practices, agroecology, storage and local processing could significantly improve agricultural productivity and resilience.
However, he cautioned that such innovations would have limited impact unless farmers could access and use them affordably and connect their produce to reliable markets.
“Improved seeds, irrigation, climate information, digital extension, soil-health practices, agroecology, storage and local processing can strengthen productivity and resilience. But these innovations will have limited impact unless farmers can access and use them affordably and connect their produce to ready markets,” he said.
Climate change and mechanisation challenges
PFAG noted that smallholder farmers across Ghana continued to face mounting climate pressures, with prolonged dry spells and erratic rainfall threatening crop production and household food security.
It cited the Kassena area of the Upper East Region as one of the areas affected by unpredictable rainfall, stressing the need for timely climate information, appropriate irrigation systems, drought-tolerant seeds and practical extension support.
The Association also identified limited access to affordable agricultural machinery as a major constraint, explaining that inadequate access to tractors, planters, harvesters, threshers and post-harvest equipment increased labour demands, delayed farming activities and contributed to losses.
It therefore called for expanded access to appropriate mechanisation services, particularly for women and young farmers.
Market access and post-harvest losses
On market access, PFAG said increased production did not always translate into higher incomes for farmers because of inadequate storage and processing facilities, weak market structures and the absence of reliable buyers.
It cited tomato gluts experienced by farmers in parts of the Volta Region and Ada as examples of the difficulties producers faced when supply exceeded available market opportunities.
The Association also highlighted the threat posed by migratory birds to rice farms, calling for innovative solutions to protect farmers’ investments.
It said rice and maize farmers also needed stronger aggregation systems, improved processing capacity, adequate storage infrastructure and predictable market linkages to reduce post-harvest losses and improve earnings.
Call for coordinated investment
To address these challenges, PFAG called on the government, development partners, academia, financial institutions and private-sector actors to invest in affordable irrigation and water-management systems, climate information services, drought-tolerant seeds and climate-resilient agricultural practices.
It further urged stakeholders to expand access to farmer-centred mechanisation, improve storage and processing infrastructure, and establish fairer, more structured markets that connect producers to reliable buyers and protect them from exploitative pricing.
The Association also called for increased support to enable women and young farmers to access land, finance, technology, training and markets.
PFAG urged policymakers and development partners to involve farmer organisations in designing and implementing agricultural programmes to ensure that investments reflected local realities, supported livelihoods and delivered measurable results.
“Building a food-secure Ghana requires coordinated action by farmers, government, researchers, businesses, development partners and consumers,” Mr Nortey said, adding that consumers could also contribute by choosing locally produced food and reducing food waste.
As Ghana joined the global community to mark World Food Day, PFAG reaffirmed its vision of “A life of dignity for the peasant farmer,” calling for a food system that recognises farmers not only as producers but also as knowledge holders, entrepreneurs and partners in national development.
Story by Eric Boateng
