Ghana to distribute free fertilizer to farmers in 2026 as global prices rise
Government shifts policy as global fertilizer prices rise and supply risks grow.
GHANA – Ghana will give fertilizers to farmers at no cost during the 2026 farming season, marking a major change in how the country supports agriculture.
President John Dramani Mahama announced the decision on March 21, saying the government will replace the current subsidy program with full distribution. “We have acquired fertilizers for our farmers that are usually sold at subsidized prices. However, this time, I have instructed the Minister of Agriculture to distribute them free of charge,” he said.
The government expects the move to push farmers to plant more land and increase food production. Officials believe that removing the cost of inputs will ease pressure on farmers and support higher yields, especially for key crops like maize and rice.
Ghana already ranks among the higher users of fertilizer per hectare in sub-Saharan Africa. Data from the Food and Agriculture Organization shows that usage reached 28.9 kg per hectare in 2023, above the regional average of 18.2 kg. However, this still falls short of the 50 kg target set under the 2006 Abuja Declaration.
The policy change comes at a time when the global fertilizer market faces strain. Tensions in the Middle East have disrupted supply routes, especially through the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping lane.
According to the International Fertilizer Development Center, urea prices rose sharply in early March. Prices increased by about 37 percent in the first week of the conflict and reached around US$715 per metric ton by the second week, a rise of about 45 percent from earlier levels. “Other fertilizers are also starting to adjust upwards,” the agency noted, pointing to price increases for phosphate and potash products.
These changes raise import costs for countries like Ghana, which depend fully on external supply.
The shift to free distribution will place full cost responsibility on the government. In 2025, Ghana supported farmers with subsidized access to about 200,000 tons of fertilizer, including both NPK and urea.
However, national demand stands much higher. Between 2020 and 2024, average annual needs reached about 426,307 tons. With rising global prices, the cost of meeting this demand will increase and place added pressure on public finances.
The new policy comes as the main planting season begins in mid-March, a critical period for staple food production. Officials now face the task of ensuring timely supply while managing higher spending.
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