Sunyani: The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) has secured funding from the Mastercard Foundation and Kosmos Innovation Center to bolster vegetable production and improve the economic livelihoods of growers across the country. The initiative aims to provide substantial support to 15,000 vegetable farmers in 10 districts and municipalities by distributing high-quality inputs such as hybrid seeds, organic fertilizers, soil testing kits, water pumping machines, sprayers, and other agro-chemicals.
According to Ghana News Agency, the majority of the beneficiaries are women and youth farmers cultivating cabbage, onion, tomato, and pepper in regions including Ada East and Ada West in Greater Accra, Techiman North in Bono East, and Fanteakwa North and Fanteakwa South in the Eastern Regions. Farmers from Kassena Nankana West and Kassena Nankana East in the Upper East Region, Sunyani West in Bono, Elembelle in Western, and North Dayi in the Volta Regions are also set to benefit from this initiative.
Dubbed 'Enhancing Vegetable Productivity and Market Linkages to Improve Job Creation and Sustained Incomes for Smallholder Farmers in Ghana,' this one-year project focuses on improving technical and agronomic capacities among beneficiaries to promote sustainable food production. It aims to enhance production capacities through an input credit model while improving access to sustainable markets and incomes for smallholder farmers.
Mr. Bismarck Owusu Nartey, Executive Director of the PFAG, provided an overview of the project during an interview with Ghana News Agency at the distribution event held in Chiraa, Sunyani West Municipality. Fifty-five cabbage and tomato farmers received certified seeds, organic fertilizers, and other agro-chemicals. Mr. Nartey highlighted plans to train 50 farmer leaders in governance, agronomy, and post-harvest management to enhance technical and leadership skills.
Additionally, the project will facilitate market linkages by training farmer leaders in marketing and establishing multi-stakeholder marketing committees in each district. The goal is to reduce post-harvest losses, increase market access, and boost incomes while empowering youth and women farmers.
Mr. Nartey further emphasized the project's extension support services, which include sustainable farming practices and post-harvest management training for at least 20,000 farmers. To ensure effective knowledge transfer and adoption, 100 farmer leaders will receive training.
Despite significant progress in grain production, Mr. Nartey noted that vegetable production in Ghana remains challenging, with the country producing only 37 percent, 39 percent, and 29 percent of tomato, pepper, and onion, respectively. He cited various structural challenges contributing to the country's reliance on imports, which have adverse effects on the economy and poverty levels, particularly among women and youth.
Mr. Benjamin Sarfo, Programme Officer of the PFAG, added that the association is committed to advocating for a conducive environment for the growth and development of smallholder farmers, particularly those in marginalized and hard-to-reach areas. The PFAG's efforts include advocacy, capacity building, information management, strategic partnerships, entrepreneurship development, and network strengthening.
The PFAG, which has grown from a small group of visionary farmers to a national association, now boasts over one million smallholder farmers across all 16 administrative regions of Ghana. The association's membership includes over 2,000 registered Farmer Based Organizations, with 45 percent female farmers and more than 80 percent in hard-to-reach communities.