The Ahafo Ano South West District Assembly has intensified efforts to strengthen agricultural development by engaging farmers across the district to identify key challenges confronting the sector for inclusion in the Assembly’s 2027 Annual Action Plan.
The stakeholder engagement, organised by the District Department of Agriculture on Thursday, July 30, 2026, brought together farmers from various farming zones to provide first-hand information on the constraints affecting crop and livestock production and propose practical solutions to improve agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods.
The exercise formed part of the Assembly’s commitment to participatory governance and inclusive development planning, ensuring that the concerns of farmers—the backbone of the district’s economy—are reflected in policies and development programmes.
Addressing the gathering, the District Coordinating Director, Paul Atsu Agbezudor, stressed that agriculture remains the driving force behind the local economy, making it imperative for the Assembly to actively involve farmers in planning and decision-making.
He explained that the Annual Action Plan serves as a critical development blueprint for the district and assured participants that their contributions would play a significant role in shaping agricultural interventions for the coming year.
Mr. Agbezudor noted that the Assembly was determined to formulate policies that address the real needs of farming communities rather than relying solely on assumptions.
“Our objective is to ensure that development planning is people-centred. Farmers understand the realities on the ground better than anyone, and their experiences are invaluable in designing programmes that will improve productivity and livelihoods,” he stated.
He further assured the farmers that all issues raised during the engagement would be carefully assessed and incorporated into the district’s development agenda, subject to available resources and implementation priorities.
The District Director of Agriculture, Prince Yaw Amuzu, also encouraged participants to freely share the challenges affecting their farming activities.
According to him, accurate information from farmers would enable the Department of Agriculture and the District Assembly to develop realistic interventions, mobilise resources and seek support from development partners to address the identified constraints.
He reiterated the department’s commitment to working closely with farmers to improve agricultural production and ensure food security across the district.
During the interactive session, farmers outlined numerous challenges affecting virtually every agricultural subsector.
Producers of cereals and legumes complained about the inadequate supply of improved cowpea varieties, shortage of rice threshing machines and insufficient agrochemicals for controlling the destructive fall armyworm infestation.
Vegetable farmers also highlighted serious production challenges, including limited access to improved seeds for crops such as garden eggs, pepper and okra, persistent pest and disease outbreaks, and the absence of storage facilities, particularly for tomatoes, leading to significant post-harvest losses.
Cassava farmers expressed concern over the persistent decline in market prices for their produce, saying the situation continues to reduce their profit margins despite increasing production costs.
Livestock, poultry and aquaculture farmers equally painted a gloomy picture, citing low market prices for poultry products, escalating feed costs and the inadequate number of veterinary officers to provide extension and animal health services.
Beyond the specific subsectors, farmers identified several broader challenges threatening agricultural growth within the district.
These include limited access to agricultural credit and financial support, the rising cost of farm labour, declining soil fertility, inadequate fertiliser supply, climate change and its impact on crop yields, weak market linkages and the devastating effects of illegal mining activities, which continue to destroy fertile farmlands and pollute major water bodies.
The participants appealed to the District Assembly, the Ministry of Agriculture and other stakeholders to prioritise these concerns in the 2027 Annual Action Plan to improve agricultural productivity, strengthen food security and enhance the incomes of farming households.
They expressed optimism that addressing the identified constraints would not only boost agricultural output but also contribute significantly to employment creation and economic development within the district.
The engagement concluded with a renewed commitment by the Ahafo Ano South West District Assembly and the Department of Agriculture to maintain regular consultations with farmers and other stakeholders to ensure sustainable agricultural development and improve the living standards of residents across the district.
