Agric Minister Launches $147.3m Project to Modernize Agriculture
The government has launched a US$147.3 million project to modernise Ghana’s agricultural sector and improve the livelihoods of over 420,000 farmers across eight regions.
The Promoting Rural Opportunities, Sustainable Profits and Environmental Resilience (PROSPER) Project was officially launched in Damongo, Savannah Region, on Tuesday, marking a significant step towards transforming agriculture into a resilient and commercially viable sector.
Jointly funded by the Government of Ghana, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the project aims to strengthen rural agricultural systems, boost profitability for farmers, and enhance environmental and climate resilience, particularly in vulnerable communities.
A key focus of PROSPER is inclusivity, with 50% of beneficiaries expected to be youth and 5% persons with disabilities. This is intended to tackle unemployment, reduce inequality, and empower marginalised groups within the agricultural value chain.
The project will concentrate on seven priority value chains: maize, rice, soybean, shea, cashew, poultry, and vegetables. These have been selected for their potential to contribute to food security and export growth.
Implementation will cover the Upper West, Upper East, Northern, Savannah, North East, Bono East, Oti and Eastern Regions, identified as strategic areas for agricultural development.
Speaking at the launch, Food and Agriculture Minister, Eric Opoku, emphasised the project’s importance in addressing challenges such as low productivity, climate change impacts, and limited access to markets and finance. “This project is about transforming agriculture from subsistence to a profitable and sustainable business that can compete at the highest level,” he stated, reiterating the government’s commitment to making Ghana “the food basket of Africa.”
Savannah Regional Minister, Salisu Biawurbe, welcomed the initiative, describing it as a “timely and transformative intervention” for the region. “The Savannah Region has vast arable lands and a hardworking, youthful population, and this project allows us to fully harness these strengths,” he said.
He highlighted the potential for the project to unlock the region’s agricultural potential, improve farmer incomes, and stimulate agribusiness development. “When we invest in agriculture, we are not only feeding the nation but also fighting poverty and unemployment at the same time,” the Regional Minister emphasised, appealing to private investors and development partners to seize the opportunities presented.
The PROSPER Project, launched under the theme “Enhancing Climate-Resilient, Inclusive, and Market-Driven Agricultural Value Chains in Ghana,” represents a long-term commitment to building a resilient agricultural sector and driving Ghana’s development agenda.
Image Source: MYJOYONLINE
