The Minister of Agriculture with officials of Yara Ghana at the event
YARA INTERNATIONAL, a fertiliser manufacturing company, has indicated it is committing US$20 million to supply free fertilisers to Ghanaian farmers to help strengthen Ghana’s national food security and deliver lasting, positive impacts for farmers.
Over 100,000 smallholder farmers are expected to benefit from the initiative dubbed ‘Grow Ghana: Thriving Farmers, Thriving Future.’
Each farmer will receive 50-kilogramme (Kg) bags of the 20,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser for planting and top dressing, to support production of over 500,000 of cereals.
The Managing Director for Yara Ghana Limited, Danquah Addo-Yobo, presenting the bags of fertiliser loaded on trucks, explained that Yara is collaborating with African Fertiliser Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP) as an implementing partner to support with the monitoring and execution of the initiative, and also post impact assessment.
He mentioned that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through their work with Alliance for Green Revolution (AGRA) and AFAP are able to provide technical support for farmers and agri-SMEs in order for the fertilisers to be used more efficiently to maximise yields and enhance productivity, thus safeguarding livelihoods and food security.
He was optimistic that the initiative will not only help enhance food security across Ghana but catalyse a larger, continent-wide commitment to increase food system resilience, grow food security and prevent hunger for 60 million people in Africa.
The MD indicated that the initiative will be monitored, and its success measured using credible impact evaluation mechanism through the use of digital tool.
He was hopeful that the initiative will support production of 500,000mt of cereals.
Mr. Addo-Yobo explained that a market systems approach that will support at least 115 retailers and distributors will be put in place, adding that there will also be demonstration fields and farmers training to train farmers on fertiliser application and best farming practices.
Acknowledging receipt of the fertiliser, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Afriyie Akoto, lauded Yara for the initiative to support government and Ghanaian farmers at large in an era when fertiliser is in short supply, with prices skyrocketing as a result of COVID-19 pandemic and war in Ukraine.
He described the donation by Yara to Ghanaian farmers as significant and timely, as it will go a long way to help government’s flagship initiative, ‘Planting for Food and Jobs’.
He seized the opportunity to appeal to other fertiliser manufacturers and international organisations to emulate the initiative of Yara to support farmers in Ghana.
BY Vincent Kubi