Onion farmers in the Asante Akyem North District have issued an urgent appeal to the government to regulate the influx of foreign onions, citing a market imbalance that threatens the local industry.
Despite a successful farming season resulting in a bumper harvest, farmers are struggling to find buyers as the market remains saturated with cheaper imports from neighboring countries like Burkina Faso, Niger, and Nigeria.
Moro Adamu, Chairman of the Asante Akyem North Onion Farmers Association, noted that while the local produce is high in quality and sufficient to meet national demand, traders are prioritizing foreign onions due to their lower price points.
This price disparity often stems from lower production costs in neighboring Sahelian countries or differences in economies of scale. The farmers are calling for “seasonal protection” – a policy that would limit imports specifically during Ghana’s peak harvest periods to ensure local produce is exhausted before foreign stock enters the market.
The association highlighted that protecting the onion industry is not just about food security, but also a strategic move to combat social issues like unemployment and illegal mining (galamsey). By ensuring onion farming is a profitable venture, the farmers believe more youth will be incentivized to stay in agriculture rather than moving into hazardous mining activities.
They are urging the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to introduce protective trade policies and improve storage infrastructure to help them compete effectively and reduce post-harvest losses.