Bonia Rice Farmers Appeal to Govt for Support to Address Post Harvest Losses

Local rice farmers in Bonia, a suburb of Navrongo in the Kassena-Nankana Municipality of the Upper East Region, are appealing for urgent support to address critical challenges affecting their operations and livelihoods.

According to the farmers, the lack of proper facilities for drying paddy rice has led to significant post-harvest losses, reduced grain quality, and financial strain. With no designated drying platforms, many are forced to use unsafe and unsuitable spaces such as old filling stations, exposing the rice to impurities, stones, and damage from rainfall.

Speaking on behalf of the Bonia Rice Farmers Association, Mr. Alexander Azuliba urged government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the Irrigation Company of Upper East Region (ICOUR) to intervene.

“Traders travel from the southern part of the country to buy our rice to feed the nation, yet we do not have basic facilities like drying platforms, pavilions, or fence wire to secure our produce,” he lamented.

Community member and agribusiness worker, Mr. Justice Achaah Adoah, highlighted the economic burden faced by farmers, particularly in hiring women to dry the rice, which can take up to three days at considerable cost. He revealed that the high expenses have driven about 38 farmers to quit the association.

“This is the best time to share our challenges. The cost of drying alone is unbearable for many farmers,” Adoah said.

The Chief of Bonia, Kwaraseh Salifu Akumbasiya, who is also a farmer, echoed these concerns, calling for concerted efforts by government and development partners to provide drying platforms, protective canopies, and structured market systems to prevent exploitation by individual buyers.

“By working together, we can address these pressing issues and promote sustainable agricultural development in Navrongo,” the chief stated.