Fertiliser smuggling on the increase in Upper East region

The Upper East Regional Minister, Mark Woyongo has expressed concern about the alarming rate at which fertiliser is being smuggled across the region.

Mr.Woyongo was addressing an emergency meeting with Municipal and District Chief Executives, District Directors of Agriculture and fertiliser dealers at Bolgatanga on the sale and distribution of fertilizers in the region. 

He said fertiliser smuggling denies farmers access to the product. 

He said the amount of fertilizers allocated for the Upper East region is huge yet farmers complain about shortages. 

Mr Woyongo said reports indicate that there are instances where some dealers buy large quantities of fertilisers under the pretext of being farmers and smuggle them out of the region.

He mentioned that so far only Bawku and Garu-Tempane have reported cases of fertiliser smuggling while districts such as Paga, Navrongo and Zebilla look on.

As a measure, Mr.Woyongo tasked the Regional Director of Agric and MOFA to do appraisal of the dealers to be able to monitor them effectively.

GBC NEWS