Alhaji Mohammed Hardi, the Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, has called on key stakeholders to collaborate and establish sustainable interventions to expedite the development of the Ghana Agricultural Sector Investment Programme (GASIP).
Emphasizing the importance of these interventions, he highlighted the need to focus on the formulation of GASIP’s comprehensive exit and sustainability plan, with the ultimate goal of enhancing food security in Ghana.
Speaking during the official handover of installations to collaborating institutions by GASIP in Tamale, Alhaji Tuferu emphasized the role of the program and other related projects in supporting smallholder farmers to contribute to food security and poverty reduction through the production of sufficient staple foods for both local consumption and export.
It is worth noting that smallholder farmers, through GASIP, collectively produce approximately 80 per cent of the staple foods consumed in the country.
Alhaji Tuferu further commended GASIP for its success in improving market access, increasing productivity, and enhancing incomes across the nation.
Mr Klutse Kudomor, the National Programme Coordinator of GASIP, provided insight into the project’s timeline, stating that it became effective in May 2015 and is expected to be completed by August 2023.
With funding from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and implementation led by MoFA, the program aims to boost the profitability and climate change resilience of smallholder farmers through sustainable farmer-based organizations and other agribusiness enterprises.
Mr Kudomor expressed satisfaction with the achievements of GASIP, stating that it has successfully contributed to sustainable poverty reduction in rural Ghana, while also enhancing the profitability and resilience of agribusinesses, including smallholder farmers, in the face of climate change.
GASIP is currently being implemented in 14 regions and 81 districts through the involvement of 600 farmer-based organizations and 53 Value Chain drivers. In addition, Mr Kudomor highlighted an interesting aspect of the program, mentioning that it has mimicked the successful LEAP Programme by disbursing an amount of US$1.85 million as Cash-Based Transfers to support vulnerable farmers.
Mr Robert Patrick Ankobiah, the Chief Director of MOFA, acknowledged the positive impact of GASIP’s intervention on smallholder farmers, stating that it has led to increased yields and ensured a stable supply of raw materials for agro-processors.
He urged all stakeholders and beneficiaries to utilize the skills acquired through the program to further enhance food production in the country, contributing to the overall growth of the agricultural sector.
