Ghana has secured a €154 million financing package from the Government of Italy to support a major agricultural transformation initiative aimed at boosting food security and strengthening the country’s agri-food systems.
The agreement, signed under the project titled “Strengthening Agri-Food Ecosystems in Ghana” (AID 013210), was facilitated by the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, during his working visit to Italy. The three-year project, which runs from 2025 to 2027, is expected to modernize Ghana’s agricultural value chain and enhance resilience to climate change.
Under the initiative, about 10,000 hectares of land will be developed into a model farm for the production of maize, rice, tomato, and soya. The farm will operate under an all-year irrigation system to ensure continuous production and a stable food supply for the domestic market.
The project also involves a strong partnership between Ghanaian and Italian institutions. The International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM) will collaborate with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to develop a soil testing and crop suitability chart to guide farmers and improve production efficiency. CIHEAM will further work with the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI) at the University of Ghana to establish a national seed bank to support research and ensure seed security.
Beyond crop production, the initiative will deliver vital community infrastructure, including schools, toilet facilities, social centers, and ICT hubs in the beneficiary communities.
The overarching goal of the project is to promote food security and build climate-resilient local food systems in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Specifically, it seeks to develop and strengthen agricultural value chains, improve infrastructure, and enhance the capacities of local institutions and communities.
Expected outcomes include:
The cultivation and sustainable management of 10,000 hectares of irrigated farmland.
Construction of social and community facilities to improve rural livelihoods.
Enhanced technical and institutional capacity in modern agricultural practices.
The project’s direct beneficiaries include workers and staff of the model farm, soil analysts, seed bank agents, farmers’ associations, and officials of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. Indirectly, the initiative is expected to benefit about 23,000 residents in the Aveyime-Battor area and more than 1.6 million people in the Volta Region through expanded economic opportunities and improved food systems.
The Agric Minister, Eric Opoku’s participation in the ongoing Eighth Agrilevante Fair in Bari, Italy, forms part of Ghana’s broader collaboration with Italian partners to promote sustainable and inclusive agricultural development.
