Anloga, (V/R) October, 02
Madam Sandra Seyram Kpedor, the District Chief Executive for Anloga , has expressed deep concern over the growing challenge of post-harvest losses faced by farmers in the district, particularly those cultivating onions and tomatoes.
According to Madam Sandra Kpedor, several farmers are distressed over the huge loss they are making from cultivating the Bawku Red variety of onion.
According to him, the onions are ready for harvest, yet there is no available market, leaving large quantities at risk of spoilage on the farms.
“It is heartbreaking to see the efforts of our hardworking farmers go to waste simply because they cannot find buyers,” the DCE lamented. “These onions represent months of labour, and we must do everything possible to protect their investment.”
To immediately mitigate the problem, She disclosed that she has directed the District Agriculture Department to take urgent steps to link the farmers to potential buyers.
He further indicated that his office is engaging second-cycle schools in the district and caterers under the School Feeding Programme to patronize the onions as a direct way of supporting the local farmers.
“We are reaching out to our schools and caterers to purchase these onions for use in their daily meal preparations,” he said. “This initiative will not only prevent waste but also boost the local economy.”
The DCE also made a public appeal to the general population, market traders, and buyers across the region to support the farmers by purchasing their produce directly from the fields at Tegbi, Woe, Dzita, and other affected communities in the Anloga District
In addition to the onion crisis, the DCE revealed that tomato farmers in the district are also facing a similar challenge. Despite buyers coming from other parts of the country to purchase the tomatoes, significant quantities continue to go bad before they can all be sold.
“The recurring issue of perishable produce going to waste calls for a long-term solution We must invest in proper storage facilities and value addition systems to safeguard our farmers’ livelihoods.”
He reaffirmed the Anloga District Assembly’s commitment to working with stakeholders, including the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, agribusiness investors, and donor partners, to establish community-based storage and processing centres aimed at reducing post-harvest losses and ensuring sustainable agricultural growth.
“When we support our farmers, we are not only protecting their income but also ensuring food security for our people,
She concluded by reiterating his call for urgent intervention and public support, assuring farmers that the district will continue to champion their welfare through practical, community-driven solutions.
