The National Seed Trade Association of Ghana (NASTAG) has announced a significant reduction in the prices of certified seeds, cutting costs by between 20 and 25 percent for the 2026 farming season.
The decision, aimed at easing the financial pressure on farmers and accelerating the adoption of improved, high-quality seeds nationwide, was announced in a press release signed by NASTAG President, Seidu Abdulai Mubarak.
According to Mr. Mubarak, the price reduction reflects the association’s strong commitment to the growth, resilience and sustainability of Ghana’s agricultural sector. He said making certified seeds more affordable will enable farmers to increase yields, better withstand climate variability, and ultimately improve productivity and incomes.
He described the move as a bold, farmer-focused investment in the country’s agricultural future, noting that NASTAG is ready to work closely with government under the Feed Ghana Programme to ensure quality seeds reach farmers across the country.
“We are prepared to partner government to deliver quality seeds to every farm through the Feed Ghana Programme,” he stated, adding that collaborative action is essential to maximise the impact of the initiative.
As part of this partnership, Mr. Mubarak proposed joint initiatives including integrated seed distribution, agronomic support within the Feed Ghana framework, and nationwide awareness campaigns to educate farmers on the superior returns from using certified seeds. He said such collaboration would help translate the reduced seed prices into tangible gains in food security, farmer livelihoods and the successful implementation of the Feed Ghana Programme.
While welcoming ongoing government efforts to support agriculture, the NASTAG President also raised concerns about the persistent market glut affecting key staples such as maize, soya and rice. He explained that the glut has led to low demand, falling prices and difficulties for farmers in selling their produce, resulting in heavy financial losses.
He warned that the situation threatens future productivity, as many farmers are left without the capital needed to purchase quality seeds for subsequent seasons. According to him, the glut is also negatively impacting the entire agricultural value chain, from seed producers and input dealers to aggregators and processors, thereby discouraging growth and investment.
Mr. Mubarak therefore called for urgent government intervention to address the crisis. He appealed for the scaling up of buffer stock mechanisms to absorb excess produce at fair prices, the fast-tracking of policies to stimulate local industrial demand—particularly in the poultry, livestock and rice milling sectors—and the facilitation of export channels to neighbouring countries to ease domestic oversupply.
He stressed that resolving the market glut is critical to protecting farmer incomes, stabilising the agricultural value chain and ensuring that the benefits of initiatives such as the certified seed price reduction and the Feed Ghana Programme are fully realised.
