The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) has announced a comprehensive support system for farmer cooperatives across Ghana as part of the Feed Ghana Programme. The initiative, aimed at boosting agricultural productivity and improving farmer livelihoods, targets registered cooperatives and provides a broad array of services and resources to enhance their operations.
According to Agric Minister Eric Opoku, the program is designed to organize farmers into effective cooperatives that can access government support and market opportunities more efficiently.
The government plans to establish Farmer Service Centres to provide mechanization services, distribute agricultural inputs, offer extension services, and introduce climate-smart technologies. These centers are expected to serve as hubs for enhancing productivity and modernizing agricultural practices.
MoFA is also partnering with financial institutions to ensure that farmer cooperatives gain access to a range of financial products. These include savings schemes, insurance, and mobile money platforms. This is designed to suit the needs of rural farmers and agribusiness operators.
Registered cooperatives will be prioritized in the distribution of subsidized inputs. These include improved seeds, fertilizers, and animal feed. These are all essential for increasing yields and lowering production costs.
The initiative includes tailored training sessions for cooperative members. Topics cover modern farm management, agribusiness skills, and digital agriculture tools. The goal is to improve both efficiency and competitiveness in the sector.
One of the major support mechanisms under the programme is the facilitation of market access. Cooperatives will be assisted in securing fair-price agreements and long-term contracts with institutional buyers. These buyers may be schools, hospitals, and government agencies. The programme also seeks to connect cooperatives to export markets.
MoFA has indicated that farmer cooperatives will have a platform to participate in agricultural policymaking processes. This is intended to ensure that grassroots farmers have a voice in national development strategies related to agriculture.
The Ministry has called on farmers across the country to form and register cooperatives in order to access the full benefits of the Feed Ghana Programme. Regional and district MoFA offices have been tasked with supporting the formation of these cooperatives and guiding them through the registration and onboarding process.
This nationwide initiative is part of broader efforts to transform Ghana’s agricultural sector, improve food security, and create sustainable livelihoods for farmers.
Story by: Caris Adjei London
