Eric Opoku, Minister of Food and Agriculture has officially launched the distribution of agricultural inputs under the Global Agriculture and Food Security Programme (GAFSP), aimed at boosting food and nutrition security, particularly in the Northern Savannah Ecological Zone.
The $20 million grant-funded project, supported by the Global Agriculture and Food Security Programme, with technical assistance from the African Development Bank (AfDB), is designed to build resilience in Ghana’s agriculture sector by scaling up successful interventions under the Savannah Investment Programme.
Speaking at the launch of the project in Tamale, Mr Opoku expressed appreciation to GAFSP and the AfDB for their support, noting that the initiative was aligned with government’s Feed Ghana Programme, which seeks to increase agricultural productivity, improve food security and promote agro-industrial development.
He said the project would be implemented in 12 districts across six regions, including Tamale, Mion, Savelugu and Nanton in the Northern Region; West Gonja in the Savannah Region, East Mamprusi and Mamprugu Moagduri in the North East Region, Bawku West in the Upper East Region; Wa Municipal, Nandom and Sissala East in the Upper West Region; and Krachi East in the Oti Region.
The Minister indicated that the project is expected to directly benefit 50,000 households, with a focus on women, youth and vulnerable groups, and will centre on four components, including access to finance, small-scale irrigation, poultry production, and input support.
On financing, Mr Opoku said a $1 million revolving fund had been established to support value chain actors, with GH¢3,835,250 already disbursed through six rural banks to 1,303 clients, more than half of whom were women.
Under irrigation, he announced the installation of solar-powered systems at 88 sites to support 3,887 farmers in year-round vegetable production, including 20 boreholes drilled for school gardening projects.
The poultry component, he explained, would provide 50,000 guinea keets to 5,000 households, 60,000 pullets to 500 female farmers for egg production, and 100,000 broilers and guinea fowls to commercial farmers at a 50 per cent subsidy on chicks, alongside feed, vaccines, and medication.
On inputs, the Minister declared the immediate distribution of fertilisers and seeds to 12,000 farmers across the project districts.
These include 46,400 bags of NPK for maize, 1,080 bags of rice fertiliser, 5,200 bags for soybean, 23,740 bags of urea, 15,460 bags of organic fertiliser, as well as 4,400 bags of rice seed, 5,000 bags of maize seed, 520 bags of soybean seed and 100 bags of cowpea seed.
Mr Opoku stressed that these interventions were critical to reducing Ghana’s dependence on imported poultry and staples while strengthening local food systems.
He declared the distribution as officially launched, saying: “This marks a significant step towards securing Ghana’s food and nutrition needs while building sustainable and resilient food systems.”
The ceremony was attended by government officials, representatives of departments and agencies, civil society organisations, traditional and religious leaders, and the media.
Mr Ali Adolf John, Northern Regional Minister, during the launch, stressed that agriculture remained the main driving force for rural development and transformation, urging all stakeholders to support efforts aimed at reducing poverty and improving the livelihoods of beneficiary districts.
He acknowledged the visionary leadership of President John Mahama and his commitment to sustainable growth and development of the country’s agriculture sector.