The Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, has presented 21 motorbikes and 24 tablets to beneficiary districts in Northern, Savannah, and Upper West regions under the flagship PROSPER Project to strengthen agricultural service delivery and improve support systems for farmers.
The Promoting Rural Opportunities for Sustainable Profits and Environmental Resilience (PROSPER) Project is aimed at boosting rural economies and promoting climate-resilient agriculture. Funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Green Climate Fund, the initiative is being implemented in selected districts across the Northern, Upper West, and Savannah Regions, targeting vulnerable groups including women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
Speaking during the presentation ceremony in Tamale, the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, described the project as a major investment valued at 147.3 million dollars. According to him, the funding package comprises 22.5 million dollars from the Government of Ghana and 124.8 million dollars from IFAD and the Green Climate Fund.
He explained that the PROSPER Project is designed to reduce poverty, improve natural resource management, and promote sustainable climate-resilient livelihoods.
According to the Minister, the project seeks to strengthen integration, climate resilience, and environmental sustainability among smallholder farmers and agribusinesses across nine regions of the country. He also urged beneficiary districts to make effective use of the equipment while encouraging farmers to take advantage of the opportunities provided under the project.
A Senior Policy, Knowledge Management, Monitoring and Evaluation Manager for the project, Seidu Abu, highlighted the initiative’s focus on sustainable agricultural growth and resilience. He noted that the project is being implemented in the Savannah, Northern, North East, Upper East, Upper West, Bono, Bono East, Eastern, and Oti Regions.
Mr. Abu revealed that the project targets 51 districts nationwide. He further explained that the project is undertaking Value Chain Strategic Investment Plans in the three northern regions to determine the infrastructure needs of key agricultural value chains.
He indicated that the findings from the plans would guide investments in infrastructure such as feeder roads and dams to support agricultural production and improve market access.
Mr. Abu added that the project aims to build the capacity of farmers to increase production, improve crop yields, create jobs, and expand access to funding for both small-scale and commercial farmers. He added that the project will benefit 100 thousand farmers directly and 320 thousand indirectly
Meanwhile, the Savannah Regional Director of Agriculture, speaking on behalf of the beneficiary districts, commended the project for what he described as timely support to enhance agricultural extension services and improve productivity.
Source: Sulemana Alhassan Tarimbia/Zaaghana.com
