Gov’t targets yam-based fufu flour to boost farmers’ earnings — Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has announced government’s plan to work with corporate partners and food manufacturers to introduce yam-based fufu flour, in a move aimed at expanding market opportunities for farmers and reducing post-harvest losses, particularly in northern Ghana.
According to him, while cassava and plantain are widely used in the production of instant fufu flour in southern Ghana, yam remains the dominant staple in the north and presents an untapped opportunity for agro-processing and value addition.
President John Dramani Mahama announced the plans at Bimbilla in the Northern Region, during the Sod cutting ceremony of the construction of 24-hour model economy market.
He disclosed that government has already engaged Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) partners and companies producing fufu flour to explore innovative ways of incorporating yam into processed fufu products.
“We have spoken to CSR and to the company that produces fufu flour. In the south, plantain and cassava are the basic ingredients used for fufu. In the north, it is yam,” President Mahama said.
He explained that existing fufu flour products have helped make preparation easier for households, but expanding the product base to include yam would significantly increase demand for farmers’ produce.
“We are asking them to also explore using yam for their fufu flour so that our farmers can get a bigger market for their yams,” he added.
President Mahama further highlighted the challenges yam farmers face during peak harvest periods, when oversupply drives prices down sharply, leaving many unable to recover their production costs.
“During the yam harvest season, you can virtually be stoned with yams because it becomes so cheap. Many of our farmers are not able to recoup their investment,” he noted.
He said while Ghana’s yam export market is growing, it is not sufficient on its own to absorb the high levels of production, stressing the need for diversified local uses of the crop.
“Beyond exports, we must find other uses for yam so that our farmers can benefit. This is one of the ways we are looking at addressing the challenge,” President Mahama stated.
