Majority Leader in Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, has expressed concern over whether Ghana’s National Farmers’ Day celebration is truly achieving its core objective of promoting food security, amid the country’s rising food import bill.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, December 4, Mr. Ayariga revealed that Ghana currently spends between $3.5 billion and $4.5 billion annually on food imports, a situation he said highlights a major shortfall in local agricultural production.

He noted that Ghana possesses vast arable lands and abundant water resources, which, if properly harnessed, could make the country food self-sufficient. According to him, the continued heavy reliance on imported food raises serious questions about the effectiveness of policies aimed at boosting domestic agriculture.

The Majority Leader called for a strategic transition from small-scale subsistence farming to large-scale commercial agriculture, driven by modern technology, mechanisation and year-round irrigation systems.

He also stressed the need to strengthen local food processing, particularly in the rice sector, urging stakeholders to invest in producing processed local rice that meets consumer preferences, including popular varieties such as perfumed rice.

Despite his concerns, Mr. Ayariga commended Ghanaian farmers for their resilience and dedication, acknowledging their contribution to the nation’s food supply in spite of limited support and persistent challenges.

He urged government and private sector players to intensify efforts to modernise agriculture and reduce Ghana’s growing dependence on food imports.