ADVERTISEMENT
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Terms
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
  • Login
  • Register
ADVERTISEMENT
  • Home
  • News
    • Africa
      • West Africa
      • East & Central Africa
      • North Africa
      • Southern Africa
    • Business
    • International
    • Politics
    • Sports
  • Entertainment
    • Showbiz
    • Movie
    • Events
    • Reviews
    • Weird
  • Tech
    • Apps & News
    • Auto
    • Future & Startups
  • Lifestyle
    • Design
    • Food
    • Health
    • Fashion
    • People & Culture
    • Travel
  • Explore Africa
  • COVID-19
  • Live Radio
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Africa
      • West Africa
      • East & Central Africa
      • North Africa
      • Southern Africa
    • Business
    • International
    • Politics
    • Sports
  • Entertainment
    • Showbiz
    • Movie
    • Events
    • Reviews
    • Weird
  • Tech
    • Apps & News
    • Auto
    • Future & Startups
  • Lifestyle
    • Design
    • Food
    • Health
    • Fashion
    • People & Culture
    • Travel
  • Explore Africa
  • COVID-19
  • Live Radio
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home News Africa

2million people to go hungry in Ghana if coronavirus disrupts crop season

by Samcilla Baakojr
January 20, 2021
in Africa, Business, West Africa
Reading Time: 3min read
A A
0
2.3k
SHARES
ShareTweet

The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) has noted in a report on the coronavirus pandemic that about 2million people are vulnerable to become food insecure in Ghana if COVID-19 disrupts planting season for 2020.

The report which was published on Saturday 16th May said: “About 1.5 million people in Ghana (approximately 5% of population) are food insecure and 2 million people are vulnerable to become food insecure if COVID disrupts planting season for 2020. Planting has commenced and 60% of farmers demand for seeds and fertilizer is secured.”

The report further noted that although the partial lockdown has been lifted and no restrictions on persons and goods to allow businesses including agri-business to go on, land borders with neighbouring countries (Togo, Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso) remained closed.

Regarding the interventions by government of Ghana, ARA said there has been “fiscal and monetary policy incentives to Commercial Banks to increase supply of credit to private sector – US$120m credit scheme to support SMEs US$ 100m COVID-19, Social Protection Fund Facilitate access of 1million smallholder farmers to seed and fertilizer for the 2020 planting season @ 50% subsidy, Develop new lands under irrigation and inland valleys for rice production.”

AGRA said it is leading a campaign to mobilize support for the 2020 planting season in Ghana, provide PPEs to support the work of agriculture front line staff reach out to farmers, Facilitate farmer access to private sector driven input and out markets, and digital payment system: Facilitate Area yield insurance for 10,000 farmers- bundle agro-input with insurance Digital extension service through SMS messaging, Radio, videos etc are being introduced and adopted.

The organisation also noted that the impact of the coronavirus outbreak is gradually leading to food insecurity on the Africa continent.

The measures introduced by governments which include restrictions on movement of person, to deal with the COVID-19, are affecting the ability of farmers to harvest and sell their produce, AGRA also noted.

In Ethiopia for example, the government has projected that food production in the upcoming season could be lower by 8% due to the COVID-19 crisis.

“Government-mandated restrictions around the movement of people and the need for social distancing continues to pose challenges for farmers, especially in Southern Africa, where countries are in the harvest season and workers must gather for harvesting, cleaning and packing crops for transport.

“To address these challenges, some farmers and traders are using social media and farm-based sales to bridge production and market gaps during the pandemic.

“Kenya is leading the way in these efforts. Post-harvest training, which help farmers meeting international quality standards, are being conducted via digital platforms through village-based organizations.

“In Rwanda, AGRA has partnered with others to expand mechanization so as to reduce manual labour requirements and thus enable social distancing,” a statement said.

The statement added: “In East Africa, farmers are still feeling the impact from locust invasions, while eradication efforts continue. Ongoing flood conditions in Kenya and Uganda are shortening the planting season.

“However, the high rainfalls have also created an opportunity for “dry season” crops using the abundant residual moisture. In Southern Africa, recurring climate shocks are significantly contributing to reduced food production and driving staple food prices up.”

The UN has increased its original appeal for COVID-19 response funds from $2 billion in mid-March to $6.7 billion in mid-May, as humanitarian experts have noted acceleration of the food insecurity crisis.

David Beasely, Executive Director of the World Food Programme warned in April “I was already saying that 2020 would be the worst year since the second world war” Already, the COVID-19 pandemic, has “taken us to uncharted territory”, he said. “Now …. We are looking at widespread famines of biblical proportions.”

Credit: laudbusiness

Tags: Alliance for a Green Revolution in AfricaCoronavirusGhana
Previous Post

Chelsea Winger Hudson Odoi Arrested Over Row with Model

Next Post

Evander Holyfield confirms 3rd fight with Mike Tyson

RelatedNews

East & Central Africa

Disputed Uganda presidential election: Yoweri Museveni re-elected

January 21, 2021
East & Central Africa

Egregious measures threaten free & fair elections as Uganda Decides

January 21, 2021
Special Reports

Covid-19 Management: Ekiti State in Nigeria Sets the Pace

January 21, 2021
Next Post

Evander Holyfield confirms 3rd fight with Mike Tyson

Mother, 2 children stabbed to death in Free State, South Africa

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

NETBUZZ RADIOLIVE STREAMING

▷ #NowPlaying | CLICK TO LISTEN
    ADVERTISEMENT
    Currently Playing

    Covid-19 Management: Ekiti State in Nigeria Sets the Pace

    Covid-19 Management: Ekiti State in Nigeria Sets the Pace

    Special Reports

    A Day With Yinka Fabayo of Genesis Art Gallery, Nigeria

    Explore Africa

    Citizen Watch: Can police brutality ever end in Nigeria?

    Special Reports

    End SARS Protest: Youths on Edge, Demands Better From Govt

    Special Reports

    WATCH: Trapped by Coronavirus, Nigeria’s Elites Killed By COVID-19

    COVID-19

    Recent News

    Disputed Uganda presidential election: Yoweri Museveni re-elected

    January 21, 2021

    Egregious measures threaten free & fair elections as Uganda Decides

    January 21, 2021

    Covid-19 Management: Ekiti State in Nigeria Sets the Pace

    January 21, 2021

    Alibaba founder Jack Ma and 4 Chinese billionaires mysteriously missing

    January 20, 2021

    International Monetary Fund maintains lending capacity

    January 21, 2021
    ADVERTISEMENT

    © 2021 Netbuzz Africa Network - All Rights Reserved.

    Navigate Site

    • About
    • Advertise
    • Contact
    • Disclaimer
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms

    Follow Us

    No Result
    View All Result
    • Home
    • News
      • Africa
        • West Africa
        • East & Central Africa
        • North Africa
        • Southern Africa
      • Business
      • International
      • Politics
      • Sports
    • Entertainment
      • Showbiz
      • Movie
      • Events
      • Reviews
      • Weird
    • Tech
      • Apps & News
      • Auto
      • Future & Startups
    • Lifestyle
      • Design
      • Food
      • Health
      • Fashion
      • People & Culture
      • Travel
    • Explore Africa
    • COVID-19
    • Live Radio

    © 2021 Netbuzz Africa Network - All Rights Reserved.

    Welcome Back!

    Sign In with Google
    Sign In with Linked In
    OR

    Login to your account below

    Forgotten Password? Sign Up

    Create New Account!

    Sign Up with Google
    Sign Up with Linked In
    OR

    Fill the forms below to register

    All fields are required. Log In

    Retrieve your password

    Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

    Log In

    Add New Playlist