Gov’t Takes Major Step to Boost Food Security with $1 Million Revolving Fund
The Ministry of Food and Agriculture, led by Hon. Eric Opoku, has partnered with ARB Apex Bank to manage a $1 million revolving fund aimed at enhancing food and nutrition security in Ghana’s Northern Savannah Ecological Zone. This initiative is part of the Food and Nutrition Security Resilience Project, funded by the Global Agriculture and Food Security Programme (GAFSP) with a $20 million grant.
Key Objectives of the Project
Increase Farmer Incomes: The project seeks to boost farmer incomes and support household nutrition, particularly among women-headed households.
Improve Access to Climate-Smart Agricultural Inputs: Farmers will have access to climate-resilient agricultural inputs for staple crops such as maize, rice, soybean, cowpea, and groundnut.
Enhance Mechanization: Smallholder farmers will benefit from handheld agricultural equipment tailored to their needs.
Boost Dry-Season Vegetable Production: Solar-powered micro-irrigation kits will be deployed to enhance dry-season vegetable production.
Promote Household Poultry Production: The project promotes household poultry production to enhance access to affordable, nutritious food.
Impact and Benefits
The project is expected to have a significant impact on Ghana’s agricultural landscape, particularly in the 12 selected districts across six regions. The revolving fund will support smallholder farmers, especially women groups engaged in vegetable production and the cultivation of women-led crops, to access timely and affordable credit. Microenterprises and agribusinesses operating along the agricultural value chain will also benefit from the facility to expand their operations and improve their resilience.
Minister’s Remarks
Hon. Eric Opoku emphasized the importance of effective and responsible management of the fund to achieve tangible improvements in the lives of farmers and the resilience of food systems. He urged all stakeholders to work with urgency, transparency, and dedication to ensure the efficient administration and sustainable use of the fund.
Alignment with Government’s Agenda
The project aligns with the government’s Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda (AETA) and the Feed Ghana Programme, forming a cohesive national strategy to build a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient food system capable of transforming lives and communities across the country.
Conclusion
The partnership between the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and ARB Apex Bank marks a significant milestone in the implementation of the Food and Nutrition Security Resilience Project. With a focus on transparency, dedication, and efficient administration, the project is poised to transform Ghana’s agricultural landscape and improve the lives of its farmers.
