The Upper East Region has been allocated 315,722 of fertilizer through distribution outlets under the National Fertilizer and Subsidy Programme for distribution to farmers in the Region.
Mr. Clement Achaab, Upper East Regional Director of Agriculture told the Ghana News Agency in Bolgatanga at the weekend that the Region had already received 123,840 bags while it anticipated the arrival of another batch of 191,882 bags as part of the package.
He gave the assurance that structures had been put in place to check the allocation of the fertilizers from the point of distribution to the farmers to avoid any incidence of smuggling.
The Regional Director indicated that the fertilizers which were brought in last month, were stocked at the various distribution outlets at the district level while the regional MOFA office monitored the distribution pattern.
Mr. Achaab urged farmers to make maximum utilization of the fertilizer to ensure good yields in the Region.
He conceded that the rains were late with only 34 per cent of farmers having planted by the first week of June. He however anticipated good rains for the crops.
He advised farmers to plant good, short duration and drought tolerant seeds as the rains peaked.
Responding to current food prices in the market in view of the poor rainfall in the Region, he said as compared to last year, 2012 had considerably stable food prices.
He urged farmers to make use of the services of extension workers allocated to their communities to improve their crop output.**
