The Deputy Agric Minister Yaw Frimpong Addo has refuted claims by the Minority that the government’s Planting for Jobs was on life support.
According to him, the Minority wants to remain relevant hence they are making up stories about the flagship agric programme.
He, however, admitted that challenges were confronting the government in the distribution of fertilizers to farmers.
He said the delay in payments to suppliers of fertilizer and smuggling of the commodity has gravely affected the initiative.
Apart from that, the weather in the middle to the southern belt has not been favourable for farming, he lamented.
He indicated that some farmers had their wares destroyed because the weather was not great.
He said, this was the season they needed the fertilizers but the delays in payment to suppliers had delayed the process.
But I can assure you that, over the past three weeks, we have taken steps to pay the suppliers, he revealed.
He asked the public to ignore the Minority because their concerns are being addressed and not severe as they claim.
The Minority had raised concerns over the delay in the supply of fertilizers.
Leader of the side Haruna Iddrisu had asked the House to summon the Finance Minister to come and answer questions over the delay in paying the suppliers or the Agric Minister coming to explain why there is a shortage.
He had also indicated that farmers should be informed over reasons why the fertilizers had been delayed because it was affecting their activities.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com
