Ghana launches $1m fund to boost agriculture in Northern Regions

Ghana's Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has launched a new fund. This US$1 million revolving fund will support smallholder farmers in northern regions. The launch took place at a ceremony in Accra.

The fund is created in partnership with ARB Apex Bank. It is backed by a US$20 million grant from the Global Agriculture and Food Security Programme (GAFSP). The African Development Bank (AfDB) also provides additional support.

During the event, Opoku praised the program's impact on agriculture. He highlighted its importance for the Northern Savannah Ecological Zone. He thanked the AfDB for promoting sustainable agricultural development in Ghana.

"This initiative goes beyond financial help," he said. "It aims to build resilient food systems that improve community livelihoods."

The program targets 12 districts across six regions. It focuses on benefiting thousands of smallholder farmers, especially women and youth. These groups are often most affected by food insecurity.

Key components of the project include:

- Access to climate-smart agricultural inputs for crops like maize and rice.
- Improved mechanization services with handheld equipment.
- Distribution of solar-powered micro-irrigation kits for year-round farming.
- Promotion of household poultry farming for better nutrition.
- Establishment of the revolving fund to provide affordable financial services.

The revolving fund will offer much-needed capital at competitive interest rates. This support will help farmers and agribusinesses grow operations and improve productivity. It will also strengthen resilience against climate-related challenges.