Okro farmers in Asuano, a farming community near Nkoranza in the Bono East Region, are facing severe financial difficulties due to the low prices offered by local market women.
Despite cultivating okro year-round through irrigation from the Pru River, the farmers are struggling to make ends meet due to the exploitation of some buyers who dictate prices far below their expectations.
Asuano is known for large-scale okro production, but the surplus of the crop has led to these market challenges. With high input costs such as fertilizers and pesticides, the farmers are incurring significant losses, making it difficult to break even.
Mr. Isaac Boakye, a spokesperson for the farmers, spoke to Adom News, expressing concerns over the lack of market competition, which allows a few buyers to take advantage of the situation.
He also noted the difficulty of farming on hard soil, which requires expensive manual irrigation. Many farmers are burdened with unpaid loans due to their low earnings.
Over 100 farmers are cultivating approximately 500 acres of okro, but without fair pricing and adequate market competition, many are being pushed into financial distress.
Some farmers have voiced frustration, blaming the situation on the absence of competitive buyers and customers setting their own prices.
The farmers are calling on the government, stakeholders, and traders across the country to intervene by creating better market linkages and ensuring fair pricing.
As the crisis continues, the farmers remain hopeful for swift action to protect their livelihoods and prevent further losses.
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