Ben
The government has initiated a $7 million project to enhance food security within the country.
Known as the “Farmer Support Activity,” this undertaking is a collaboration between the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the government. The project intends to assist 17,000 farmers during the lean season in selected districts in the Upper East, Upper West, North East, Northern regions, and nearby areas. The support will be provided for three months.
Each farmer will receive $315 million through mobile money over three months to facilitate this endeavor.
The project has implemented a well-structured cash transfer system to distribute the funds effectively. The disbursement will occur in two installments to the beneficiaries. Multiple entities are implementing this project, including the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), the National Identification Authority (NIA), and MTN.
The WFP has identified and registered the beneficiaries, primarily vulnerable smallholder farmers.
Yesterday, the Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, Yaw Frimpong Addo, inaugurated the project in Accra. During the event, the deputy minister highlighted that the lack of capital was a significant obstacle preventing many individuals from engaging in farming. However, with this initiative, farmers will receive direct funds on their mobile phones to support their agricultural activities.
The minister emphasized the importance of monitoring the program to ensure its success. He also encouraged the beneficiaries to utilize the funds to increase productivity rather than personal gains.
Barbara Clemens, the Country Director for WFP, disclosed that starting this month, 17,000 targeted productive smallholder farmers in 17 selected districts in the northern part of the country would receive financial assistance through mobile money transfers.
Clemens noted that the selected farmers own land ranging from one to 10 acres. To promote inclusivity, the threshold for women, youth, and marginalized groups, such as persons with disabilities, has been lowered to 0.5 acres. This adjustment aims to ensure their participation in the program.
During the selection and registration phase conducted in May, farmers who had registered but were awaiting their Ghana cards could acquire them.
The WFP is also exploring the use of geographic information system technology to monitor crop types, productivity trends, and patterns of the participating farmers.
Ms. Clemens praised the government for their partnership and acknowledged USAID’s generosity in providing funds and their confidence in the WFP. She also thanked officials at the national, regional, and district levels of MoFA and other partners for ensuring the initiative’s success. Although global events may raise doubts about achieving Zero Hunger by 2030, it is achievable only through coordination, collaboration, and leveraging our collective efforts to maximize our impact. “Only by doing so can we truly occupy a transformative position to accomplish Zero Hunger,” Ms. Clemens concluded.
_
Source: Omanghana.com
