Data At Agric Ministry Does Not Support Food Increment Claims – Afriyie Akoto

The Food and Agriculture Minister, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, has disputed claims that food prices in the country have skyrocketed.

Speaking at a swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed members to the Irrigation Company of Upper Region (ICOUR), Dr Akoto stressed that data available in his outfit does not support the increment claims; thus, “it is a wrong perception.”

According to Dr Akoto, government’s flagship programme, Planting for Food and Jobs, has been successful so far.

However, citing kenkey and explaining why the price of maize has increased, the Agric Minister said there was a “heavy drought” in the southern part of the country in 2020.

Therefore, affecting the production of the cereal crop and other foodstuffs this year.

“People forget these things very easily, but the drought is what has affected supplies. Fortunately, this year, apart from the one-month delay in the major season rains in the south, the rains have been excellent,” he responded.