Local rice farmers in Ghana are putting pressure on the government to support rice production to discourage the importation of thousands of tonnes of rice annually. Stakeholders are appealing for an extension of the Project for Sustainable Development of Rain-Fed Lowland Rice Production, which will end in 2014. http://www.modernghana.com/news/458596/1/farmers-want-gov-support-to-improve-local-rice-far.html
Bolga Poly Designs Post-Harvest Loss Programme
A public polytechnic in the Upper East region of Ghana has initiated plans to minimize postharvest losses. Officials say PHL is a major problem in the area due to lack of storage, preservation, and processing facilities. http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/regional/artikel.php?ID=271063
Ghana’s Agric Ministry Roles out Plans to Improve Food Security
The Ministry of Food and Agriculture of Ghana has promoted Farmer Based Organizations as an avenue to success in their plans for modernizing the rural sector. The plan will focus on strengthening value chains, and will involve training extension workers in supply chain analysis and postharvest management. http://www.ghanabusinessnews.com/2013/04/13/ghanas-agric-ministry-roles-out-plans-to-improve-food-security/?mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRonuqzNcO%2FhmjTEU5z17%2BwtX6CygYkz2EFye%2BLIHETpodcMSsJlMa%2BNFAAgAZVnyRQFHuWDeZg%3D
Mud Brick and Wood Storehouses Save Grain After the Harvest
University of Kentucky researchers are currently working to reduce postharvest losses in Ghana and Nigeria. They have hosted workshops in the regions since 2009, and recently wrote a report for the US Department of Agriculture. https://www.engineeringforchange.org/news/2013/03/06/mud_brick_and_wood_storehouses_save_grain_after_the_harvest.html
New Warehouses Will Improve Grain Storage in Ghana
The United States Feed the Future program is co-financing the construction of new warehouses in northern regions of Ghana and is also training farmers on warehouse management. USAID and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa are partners on the project. http://www.feedthefuture.gov/article/new-warehouses-will-improve-grain-storage-ghana
East Mamprusi Farmers Appeal for Storage Facilities
A farmer’s group in northern Ghana has appealed to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to provide them with postharvest reduction devices such as silo bags and better storage facilities. The group says farmers currently suffer “massive” grain losses without proper storage. http://www.ghanabusinessnews.com/2012/12/22/east-mamprusi-farmers-appeal-for-storage-facilities/
Parliement Approves 19.1 Million Loan to Ensure Food Security
Ghana approved a US $19.1 million loan to alleviate poverty by increasing agricultural productivity and ensuring food security in farming communities. The Integrated Rural Development Project (IRDP) will focus on enhancing farming practices as well as marketing and distribution chains. http://vibeghana.com/2012/12/19/parliement-approves-19-1-million-loan-to-ensure-food-security/?mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRouu6nOZKXonjHpfsX86%2BwrXqO1lMI%2F0ER3fOvrPUfGjI4FSsprI%2FqLAzICFpZo2FFcH%2FaQZA%3D%3D
Peasant Farmers Demand 5% of SADA Funds
The northern region of the Peasant Farmers’ Association of Ghana has appealed to use 5% of its budget for building storage facilities, as a means to reduce PHL. The request occurred at a workshop entitled ‘Expanding Farmer Access to Market and Storage Facilities in Northern Region’, funded by the BUSAC Fund, Danida, the European Union […]
Ghana Grains Company Takes Steps to Enforce Warehouse Standards
Ghana Grains Company uses the Warehousing Receipt System to reduce farmers’ PHL. The company is also providing training to farmers unfamiliar with the concept so that they can fully utilize the services offered by the WRS to achieve better returns at the market level. Kenyan farmers are also using a similar system for maize storage […]
Construction of 10km Techimantia-Akomadan Road Begins
Ghana is beginning the construction of a ten-kilometer road in order to reduce traveling time and help link farm produce to major marketing centers. The road is funded by the Government of Ghana from the Consolidated Fund and should be completed by December 2013. http://ghanaian-chronicle.com/construction-of-10km-techimantia-akomadan-road-begins/