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He said RDF Ghana is committed to enhancing access to agricultural financing because it believes funding agriculture should be a challenged. It however has to be sustainable and commercial.
“I would want to stress that funding should not be a free gift; it should be commercial and sustainable. It should be given in such a way that the cycle continues, to ensure that agriculture is seen as a business and not a “not for profit making” venture,” he stressed.
Mr. Sackey made these observations at the recent 3rd Women in Food and Agricultrual Leadership Training Forum (WOFAGRIC) and Gold in the Soil Awards, organized by Agrihouse Foundation in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region.
In light of the above observations, he revealed that RDF currently, has footprints in the western region, the Northern West region, Ashanti region, Eastern region and Upper East Region, through partnerships with the Builsa Community Bank.
“We currently a partnership running in the wabeja rural bank, worth two million cedis that seek to make financing available to agriculture participants and value chains in the Ashanti region,” he revealed.
He said in the western region, RDF is also in partnership with Fiaseman Rural Bank with a two million-credit facility that ensures that funding is available to agricultural participants and value chains.
In the Upper Menya Krobo, he said RDF has also made two million Ghana cedis available, to the Menya Krobo Rural Bank in the eastern region, “about 98 percent of the funding goes to women in that region,” he stressed.
He added that RDF has a relationship with Seshyiman rural bank in the Ashanti region, where 1.5 million Ghana cedis, has been made available for financing agriculture.
“We also have a credit guarantee facility with other commercial banks to ensure that funding of agriculture is made possible,” he added.
He commended the agri-women for being industrious and feeding the nation over the years, “We proud of what you do, your efforts and ability to feed your families, communities and the nation. Without you Ghana will have no food,” he said.
About WOFAGRIC and Agrihouse Foundation
This year Madam Portia Asumda, from Zangeyire in the Upper East Region took home the ultimate Gold in the Soil Award. She has been farming five years and is into the cultivation of rice, and maize, and rears cow, small ruminant and guinea fowls.
She has been working for the past 10 years and has helped train about 200 women in agri-processing capacities. She mentors women and employs a number of them who depend on the income they make to support their families. In view of her hard work, NBSSI collaborates with her as a service provider, ensuring that her products meet international standards, that enables her to export her products.
The rest of the award winners in their various categories are as follows:
Passion for Farm— Portia Gban
She innovates— Gafaratu Fuseini
Climate Smart Women Project— Memuna Abdul Rahaman
Outstanding woman in extension services— Leuzumah Rashida
The super Woman Farmer— Alima Wahabu
Royal Agro— Ayiesheitu Mahamadu Asaki
Diamond in the rough— Saantuma Sala
Feed to Foods— Genevive Akugu
Change Champion Award— Asieme Elsie Azelikumah
Development Partner— Canada
Lady of the Export Region— Anita Sutha
Star Woman Agripreneur— Mavis Alahire Aboko
She operates— Joy okrah
Princess Carla— Hawawu Gbahara
Gold in the Soil— Portia Asumda
This year the Awards Scheme received 131 nominations from both Upper East and Upper West Region. Out of the number, 45 women were shortlisted and 14 awarded. A special Gold in the Soil award went to Canada as a development partner.
This year WOFAGRIC and Gold in the soil Award was in partnership with Canadian High Commission, ABSA Ghana and YARA, INTERPLAST, OCP AFRICA, PEG AFRICA, LUMINANT ELECTRICALS AND RDF GHANA.
Collaborating Institution included, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), Women in Agriculture Development (WIAD) and the National Farmers and Fishermen Award Winners Association (NFFAWAG).
The GOLD In the Soil AWARDS, is an annual awards scheme, solely dedicated to contribute in strengthening and projecting a paradigm shift of celebrating women farmers, processors, marketers and women who are playing a role within the agricultural value chain, including women into Transportation, packaging, Technology, input dealers, etc. The Awards moves from Region to Region yearly to search for these extraordinary women who contribute significantly to putting food on our tables daily. Their story is shared and broadcasted through a documentary series produced by Agrihouse Foundation.
Impacts of WOFAGRIC and Gold in the soil Awards
Since inception three years (3) ago, WOFAGRIC and Gold in the soil awards has impacted the lives and businesses of women in the agri-business space. So far 25% of women participants who were not into Agribusiness as at the time they attended the event, have now ventured into agribusiness. Similarly, about 900 women who were groomed to take up leadership roles have had their capacity built up to push for growth and expansion at the grassroots.
In 2019, almost a quarter of the nominees for the Gold in the Soil Awards made entries into the National Best Farmers Award Scheme at district, regional and national levels with about 7 of them winning laurels at the district and regional levels whilst 2 of them picked up awards at the National awards.
The training offered on proper management and book keeping have proven impactful. A follow up evaluation carried out 3 months after each event reveals that, past participants have been able to access loan facilities to support their farms and businesses. Furthermore, information and guidance provided by the Netherlands embassy and the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) equipped some of the women farmers on the standard procedures, best practices and how to go documentations to export their produce. This has helped about 13 women to start the process to go into exportation.
