There are several government programmes for agric loans in Ghana. They created these initiatives to help farmers in the country. The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) loans support is one programme the government of Ghana uses. They use it to reduce poverty in line with the government’s economic development strategy.
Besides that, the Government of Ghana gives out loans to farmers to help them with growing and sustaining agricultural products in the country. Also, the IFAD projects help build sustainable and inclusive institutions supported by relevant learning and innovation.
Read on to find out some government’s programme for agriculture in Ghana.
What you should know about government programme for agric loan in Ghana?
This is a programme the government of Ghana uses to help farmers in Ghana. Hence reducing poverty, food scarcity, risk and damages of growing crops.
The government of Ghana has availed many programmes for Ghanaian farmers. Some of these programmes are:
1. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
One of the government’s programme is the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Ever since its Representation in Ghana, the programme is liaising with the government of Ghana. They do this through advice, technical help, implementing projects and programmes in food and agriculture. Also, natural resource management and nutrition. They enhance the organization’s response to challenges the country faces in its mandate.
2. International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
IFAD supports Ghana’s Shared Growth and Development Agenda by the government of Ghana. This initiative aims to speed up agricultural modernization. Besides that, it helps to improve private-sector competitiveness, and enhance sustainable natural resource management. They also align with the efforts of Ghana’s Medium Term Agriculture Sector Investment Plan to raise incomes. Also to enhance food security and reduce rural poverty.
They also help entrepreneurial poor people get local opportunities that the government provides to improve their means of livelihood. Targeting farmers, young people in rural areas, and women, also investing in them to improve their off-farm and farm activities.
3. Ghana Agricultural Sector Investment Programme (GASIP)
The programme is a programme by the government of Ghana in partnership with IFAD. It aims to provide a framework for a long-term financing for agricultural value chain development in Ghana. Their major aim is to contribute to sustainable poverty reduction in rural areas in Ghana. The programme is national in scope, providing a basis for investment for agricultural value chain development. They aim to make farmers more competitive by increasing their capacity to respond to market demand.
4. E-Agriculture programme by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture
This programme covers all aspects of Agriculture in Ghana, focusing on crops, vegetable production, livestock, and so on. They also provide prompt, affordable, and efficient agricultural service delivery through internet services.
This gives Ghana’s agriculture value chain actors access comprehensive and current market price information. Also, Crop and Animal Production, Farm Management Techniques and Traceability in the Ghanaian Agriculture. The E-Agriculture Programme improves the learning process and communication of the actors in the value chain of agriculture. This helps in bridging the gap between knowledge users and generators. They use technology to improve Agriculture, Rural Development and Food Security. This programme helps the youth to manufacture farm produce cost-effectively. As it creates a strong relationship between technology companies and farmers.
5. Youth in Agriculture Programme (YIAP)
The Youth in Agriculture Programme (YIAP) is an initiative by the government of Ghana’s agricultural sector. This programme motivates the youth to accept and appreciate farming/animal husbandry as a commercial venture. Hence, making farming in Ghana a lifetime vocation and making youth accept farming as a commercial business venture. YIAP is improving the standard of living for youth via steady income.
Conclusion
Agriculture is one of the economic pillars within the developing agenda of Ghana. Therefore, there is a link between Ghana’s ability to achieve its food and nutrition security goals and agricultural development in Ghana. Agriculture plays a major role in developing any country or nation, and Ghana is no exception. Development in Ghana must include the youth; therefore, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture encourages youth participation in the agricultural sector. This effort changes the negative notion the Ghanaian youth has towards agriculture. Most youths see agriculture as unskilled, physical labourers with extremely low economic returns.
Modern agriculture is beyond tilling the soil and animals. Today’s agricultural sector offers career opportunities in engineering, research, financial management, environment, engineering and other technical areas. Anybody can be part of it, especially the youth in Ghana.