The winds of change are blowing through Busunu as two-hundred and fifty (250) women have received hands-on training in chilli pepper production today (15 June) under Agrihouse Foundation’s transformative Boost-to-Bloom project, marking the third successful leg of the programme after Lingbinshi and Yapei.
The session, which had been briefly delayed out of respect for the loss of a community member—one of the participating women—was held following her burial over the weekend. The gesture reflected Agrihouse’s sensitivity to the communities it serves and its commitment to people-centred development.
Led by experienced agronomist Aaron Amartey and Emmanuel Digooh, and supported by a team of technical facilitators, the hands-on session took place on a community demonstration farm and covered the full chilli value chain.
The participants who were present in their numbers were taken through nursery establishment, land preparation, transplanting, pest and disease control, and harvesting. The training also included post-harvest handling techniques and insights into value addition opportunities such as drying, packaging, and basic storage.
“Today, you are not just learning how to grow chillies. You are learning how to grow businesses, build confidence, and transform Busunu through agriculture,” said Aaron Amartey during the interactive field session.
Busunu’s trainees were also introduced to integrated pest management techniques and organic farming approaches adapted to the Savannah Region’s agro-ecological conditions. Participants were grouped under the emerging “Bloomers” cooperative structure—designed to strengthen collaboration, technical mentorship, and long-term sustainability in agribusiness.
Importantly, the women were given an overview of market dynamics by Agrihouse’s technical lead on market linkages, Emmanuel Digooh. They explored topics such as price negotiation, buyer quality standards, aggregation, and strategies for connecting with local and external buyers. Agrihouse and its partners will serve as offtakers, offering the women guaranteed access to markets for their chilli produce.
Participants received input starter packs, including chilli seeds, organic bloom fertiliser, and farm tools to immediately commence production.
They will be further supported with mentorship and offtaker opportunities to ensure their produce reaches competitive markets.
The women of Busunu, visibly moved by the opportunity to be part of the Boost-to-Bloom initiative, expressed heartfelt appreciation to Agrihouse Foundation and its partners. For many, the training signified not just a step forward in agribusiness, but a renewed sense of hope and empowerment.
“We are truly grateful to Agrihouse Foundation, AGRA, and the Mastercard Foundation for bringing this project to our community. It’s a blessing for us women—most of whom are already farming but lacked proper skills and access to market. Now, with this training and support, we are confident that our efforts will yield real change for our homes and our children,” one of the participants stated.
Another said: “This training has given us more than knowledge, it has revived our spirits. After losing one of our own, coming back to the farm together has reminded us that in unity, we can grow, heal, and succeed. We are not just farming; we are building something for our families and our future.”
Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, reiterated that the training is part of a bigger movement to transform rural agriculture. “Boost-to-Bloom is more than training—it’s a strategic platform empowering women and youth to become agri-entrepreneurs, strengthening food systems and lifting communities,” she said.
By embedding skills, market access, and mentorship, Boost-to-Bloom continues to plant the seeds of sustainable transformation—one community at a time.
This initiative arrives at a critical time, as Ghana works to reduce food inflation, stabilize vegetable markets, and expand agro-processing capacity—particularly in pepper, tomatoes, and onions. Northern Ghana, with its vast agricultural potential, stands poised for transformation. Boost-To-Bloom project provides the structure, training, and market connectivity needed to unlock it.
