The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr. Eric Opoku, has reaffirmed his commitment to improving food production across Ghana’s five northern regions following a difficult farming season marked by drought.
As part of this effort, Dr. Opoku signed a one-million-dollar funding agreement with the Association of Rural Banks Apex Bank (ARB), aimed at supporting women farmers with irrigation systems and modern agricultural tools.
The initiative is funded by the Global Agriculture and Food Security Programme (GAFSP).
Speaking during the signing of the MoU, Dr. Opoku emphasized that, “by concentrating our efforts in a smaller number of districts, we aim to achieve maximum and measurable impact”.
The project, currently being implemented across 12 districts in six regions, focuses on building resilience in food and nutrition through climate-smart agricultural solutions.
Key components include the deployment of solar-powered micro-irrigation kits to improve dry-season vegetable farming and the provision of handheld agricultural equipment for small holder farmers.
Additionally, the project will establish a revolving fund worth one million dollars, offering affordable financial services to farmers and agribusinesses.
The fund, which will be managed by ARB Apex Bank, is designed to support small holder farmers particularly women engaged in vegetable production and staple crops such as groundnuts, cowpea, and soybean.
“I am especially pleased that this revolving fund has been designed with an interest rate of just 10 percent and a flexible repayment schedule, making it truly accessible to those who need it most”.
The initiative aligns with the government’s Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda (AETA) and the Feed Ghana programme, reinforcing efforts to create a sustainable and resilient food system.
Dr. Opoku emphasized that responsible fund management and transparent implementation are crucial to ensuring success.
“The true impact of this fund will depend on how effectively and responsibly it is managed and disbursed,” he said, urging stakeholders to administer the fund with urgency and dedication.
The project is expected to improve farmers’ incomes, household nutrition, and economic opportunities for women-led agricultural businesses across Ghana’s northern regions.
