Most of the country’s farmers continue to be shortchanged in the sale of their farm produce by most patrons of their produce including middle market queens who dictate the prices of their produce.
Eastern regional Chairman of the Ghana National Association of farmers and fishermen, Nana Apedwahene Anim who expressed similar sentiments said the practice has assumed a cultural and traditional status where strict laws are required to curb it.
“The way and manner middle market queens dictate market price for farmers has become a regular engagement which is a big threat to farming in the country,” he complained, adding that legislation and bye laws are needed to control the development.
Nana Apedwahene Anim who made the remarks on Rite FM’s Agric forum however admitted that changing this trend will be a difficult cause, adding that the use of scales could be a preferred approach.
“…It will however be very difficult to change this attitude of the middle market women and the old method used by the market queens but rather introduce new mechanisms in price determination including the use of scales in the market,” he opined.
Nana Apedwahene Anim was particularly livid with the market queens who he accused of taking advantage of the farmers especially during the bumper harvest when they and determine the prices themselves.
The Farm gate prices are determined by the post harvest committee. The main aim of these farm gate prices to protect the Ghanaian farmer by guaranteeing a secured income for them. They take into consideration the production cost to the farmer plus a 10% profit margin.
National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) currently has 73 Licensed Buying Companies. Licensed buying companies are mandated by NAFCO to reach out to farmers at the farm gates.
By Austin Ofori Addo/ritefmonline.org/austinofori.addo@gmail.com
