In a pivotal move to boost agricultural productivity and improve food security, Ghana’s Hon. Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has inaugurated a US$1 million revolving fund in partnership with ARB Apex Bank. The agreement was signed today during a ceremony at the Minister’s Conference Room, supported by the Global Agriculture and Food Security Programme (GAFSP) and the African Development Bank (AfDB).
During his opening remarks, Minister Opoku expressed appreciation to GAFSP for its substantial US$20 million grant to Ghana, which is aimed at enhancing resilience and food security in the Northern Savannah Ecological Zone. He also commended AfDB for its continuous support in agricultural development and for facilitating the implementation of this vital grant.
“This initiative is not merely about financial assistance; it is about building sustainable and resilient food systems that will uplift the livelihoods of our communities,” the Minister emphasized. The program will concentrate on 12 districts across six regions, targeting a substantial number of farmers, especially women and youth who are most vulnerable to food insecurity.
The project will implement several key interventions, including:
1. Improved access to climate-smart agricultural inputs for key staple crops such as maize, rice, soybean, cowpea, and groundnuts for smallholder farmers.
2. Enhanced access to agricultural mechanization services, featuring handheld equipment.
3. Provision of solar-powered micro-irrigation kits for off-season vegetable cultivation.
4. Promotion of household poultry production to boost nutritional availability.
5. Establishment of the US$1 million revolving fund, which will offer financial services to value chain actors at competitive interest rates.
