The united states agency for international development, USAID, has introduced a six million grant to support smallholder farmers in a bid to support Ghana’s agriculture value chain to promote food security.
The programme is to assist successful applicants to improve productivity, access to markets and improved markets efficiency.
Known as the feed the future Ghana market systems and resilience activity, the project would benefit smallholder farmers, particularly, women and youth, as well as outgrowers, buyers, processors, and exporters.
Through the grant facility, which takes effect from march 2023, smallholder farmers and other value chain actors would have access to a financing amount between $5,000 and $25,000 for various projects.
It is expected that the project would increase off-farm employment and investment opportunities and help solve value chain challenges including single growing season, limited access to land, water, inputs and services, and fragmented markets.
Speaking after a roadshow in Wa, deputy chief of party, Cecil Osei, noted that the grant would strengthen agricultural market systems and consequently increase income for households in the northern part of Ghana.
Team leader at the market system Michael Owusu Amaniampong, stated that the focus of the programme mainly on private sector businesses and non-profit organizations in selected districts in the northern part of the country whose existing operations centre on the targeted crops of the programme.
The 2022 upper west regional best farmer, John Dimah who spoke on behalf of farmers urged the team to prioritize farmers as intended by the programme and not just to give a grant to people that are not within the value chain.
By Peter Quao Adattor
