ACCRA – In a significant move to modernize agriculture and bolster food security, the government is set to launch a pilot program establishing 50 Farmer Service Centres (FSCs) across selected districts in the first year of its flagship “Feed Ghana” program. This initiative falls under the broader Agriculture for Economic Transformation agenda, aiming for full district coverage by the end of 2028.
Mr. Peter Nuhu, Coordinator of the Farmer Service Centres, revealed this on the sidelines of a recent stakeholder engagement in Bolgatanga. He stated that the number of centres would progressively increase in subsequent years. “We ensured every region is represented, and within each region, we looked at historical data on agricultural production to determine which districts are most active agriculturally,” Nuhu explained. He cited the Upper East Region as an example, where the top two or three agriculturally productive districts would be prioritized for the pilot phase.
A Holistic Approach to Agricultural Development
Launched in April this year in Techiman, Bono East Region, the “Feed Ghana” program is designed to enhance food security by targeting key agricultural sectors. The program focuses on five primary crop and livestock categories:
- Grains and Vegetables: Maize, rice, soybean, sorghum
- Selected Livestock: Poultry, goats, pigs, cattle
- Key Tree Crops: Cashew, shea, cocoa
Central to this ambitious program is the establishment of the FSCs, envisioned as one-stop hubs for farmers. These centres will provide comprehensive support, including:
- Mechanisation services
- Farm inputs
- Extension support
- Credit facilities
- Guaranteed market linkages
The pilot program will be strategically implemented in 50 districts nationwide, with a strong emphasis on regions and districts demonstrating robust agricultural output. This initiative seeks to significantly enhance productivity, create jobs, and curb the illicit trade of agricultural inputs through a cooperative-led system.
Cooperative Model to Combat Smuggling and Enhance Traceability
Mr. Nuhu elaborated that while large-scale farmers might not require cooperative affiliation due to their existing scale and traceability, the FSCs are primarily tailored to smallholder farmers. These farmers often face significant challenges in accessing essential resources like mechanized services and input credit.
The cooperative model, according to Nuhu, is a critical component for several reasons. It not only facilitates traceability but is also expected to address the persistent issue of input smuggling that plagued previous agricultural initiatives, such as “Planting for Food and Jobs” Phase One. “In the past, we supported individual farmers and could not trace them. Fertilisers and other inputs ended up in neighbouring countries like Burkina Faso,” Nuhu recounted. He emphasized that under the new framework, farmers will operate through cooperatives.
“For instance, if a cooperative receives 40 acres’ worth of input, they are accountable. And if a member fails to pay, the cooperative bears responsibility. That way, the group self-regulates to protect its credibility and benefits,” Nuhu explained.
This structure is also expected to ensure the more efficient deployment of inputs like fertilisers and machinery. “Tractors, for example, can be sent to a cooperative area where several farmers are ready, eliminating the uneconomical practice of moving equipment for isolated one-acre farms,” Nuhu concluded, highlighting the program’s strategic intent to maximize resource utilization and foster sustainable agricultural growth.
