The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA)says it hasn’t given permission for certain maize and soya bean products to be sold commercially. This clarification follows concerns raised by both large-scale and small-scale farmers and aggregators. They were worried about the registration and approval of 14 maize and soya bean products for use in food, feed, and other industrial purposes by the National Biosafety Authority, operating under the Biosafety Act 2011 (831).
MoFA issued a statement on Wednesday to underline this stance. They emphasized that neither the National Variety Release and Registration Committee (NVRRC) nor the National Seed Council (NSC), operating under MoFA, have authorized the commercialization of the maize and soya products as approved by the National Biosafety Authority (NBA).
This statement aims to clear up any confusion regarding the approval process for these agricultural products. MoFA wants to ensure that stakeholders understand that their endorsement is crucial for the commercialization of any agricultural product. Without their approval, products cannot be legally be on market for commercial purposes.
MoFA’s assertion underscores the importance of regulatory oversight in the agricultural sector. It highlights the need for coordination and clear communication between different regulatory bodies to maintain transparency and uphold standards in the approval process for agricultural products.
“Thus, these products should not and must not be in use as seeds in Ghana.”
MoFA reaffirmed its dedication to overseeing the usage of these products domestically. Additionally, MoFA urged all stakeholders to stick to the use of seed varieties approved by MoFA.
“This will help maintain the integrity of agricultural practices and ensure the well-being of both farmers and consumers in Ghana,”.
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