Modernising Agriculture in Ghana

Funded by Global Affairs Canada, this project provides direct funding to the Government of Ghana to improve food security and make the agriculture sector more modern, equitable and sustainable. The project seeks to implement a comprehensive market-oriented approach to farming and to strengthen and modernize agricultural extension services. The project covers the entire country at the national, regional and district levels and is expected to benefit 2.8 million farm households, including many female farmers. Project activities include: 1) delivering agricultural extension services and market-oriented training to farm households, with a particular focus on providing information linked to improved cultural practices and the appropriate use of fertilizers, pesticides, tools and machinery; 2) equipping District Agricultural Departments and Regional Agricultural Departments with extension materials, equipment and logistical support; 3) supporting innovative, demand-driven and market-oriented research to address current challenges being faced by smallholder farmers; 4) updating and reorienting a standardised curriculum for agricultural colleges and farm institutes to be more market-focused, gender-sensitive and climate-smart; and 5) improving the enabling (administrative and legal) environment to facilitate access to local and foreign markets for agricultural production.

Global objective

Improve food security and making the agricultural sector more modern, equitable and sustainable

Expected results

Increased adoption of relevant, productivity-enhancing technologies, which would result in yield increases in maize and rice, and a reduction of post-harvest losses
Increased adoption of market-oriented approaches to farm management, which would result in increased volume of produce marketed and agribusiness agreements signed
Increased private sector investments in sustainable agricultural input supply, production, marketing and processing, which would result in increased number of farmers accessing input suppliers, loans, and equity investment to grow their businesses.

Duration

4 years : 01/02/2017 - 31/03/2021

Localisation

The project the national, regional and district levels of Ghana.

Beneficiaries

2.8 million farm households, including many female farmers

Budget

CAD 135 million

Implementation

Government of Ghana

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Country

Ghana

Topics

Agriculture & value chains
Climate, climate change & adaptation
Employment & revenues
Food security & zero hunger
Gender
Governance & capacity-building
Local actors & livelihoods
Markets, prices & trade
Natural resource management
Rural-urban issues
Youth

Targets

Institutions
Poor households
Vulnerable small-scale farmers
Women
Youth

Agir Pillars

Pillar 3: Sustainably improve agricultural and food productivity and the incomes of the most vulnerable households and improve access to food
Pillar 4: Strengthen governance in food and nutrition security

Scales

Local
National