A $147.3 million project aimed at modernising agriculture to promote sustainable profits and environmental resilience in the country has been launched in Damongo in the Savannah Region.
Dubbed “Promoting Rural Opportunities, Sustainable Profits and Environmental Resilience (PROSPER),” the project is expected to benefit about 420,000 people, including 100,000 direct employments, of which 50 per cent would be women, 30 per cent youth, and five per cent persons with disabilities, by 2032.
It is also aimed at strengthening integration, climate resilience and environmental sustainability among smallholders in the agribusiness value chain. The targeted value chain includes maize, rice, soybean, shea, cashew, poultry and vegetables.
The beneficiary regions are Northern, Upper West, Upper East, Savannah, North East, Bono, Bono East, Oti and Eastern.
It is being implemented by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), in collaboration with other stakeholders, with funding by the government, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
The government is providing $22.5 million, while the remaining $124.8 million is being provided by IFAD and the Green Climate Fund.
Impact
The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, said the project was a major investment aimed at enhancing rural development and climate-smart agriculture to drive inclusive growth.
He said that the livelihoods of beneficiaries would be significantly improved through enhanced productivity, better access to markets, and increased resilience to market shocks.
“PROSPER’s interventions will catalyse transformation across our rural communities by promoting improved technologies, enhanced extension support, strengthening producer groups, and expanding opportunities for agribusiness development,” the minister added.
Project component
Mr Opoku said that the project was structured in three main components. It includes the provision of startup kits and assistive technologies to economically active persons with disabilities.
Also, enhanced economic opportunities would be provided for smallholders and rural businesses through improved market linkages, climate-resilient demonstration sites, financial literacy programmes, and the establishment of village savings and loans associations.
He added that there would be operational efficiency and effective coordination of PROSPER activities to ensure that every investment delivered the maximum impact.
Appreciation
The Savannah Regional Minister, Salisu Be-Awuribe, expressed appreciation to the sector minister for choosing the region to launch the project.
“It is equally not a mistake that Damongo is again chosen as the centre to launch this prosperous project. It is in consonance with the First President’s vision of making Damongo the centre of cereal production across the country,” he said.
The minister said that the region was among the most deprived in the country and added that the project would help reduce poverty among households.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh
