PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Marie K. Thompson
DATE: September 30, 2002
IFDC Receives Grant from USAID for Ghana Project
Muscle Shoals, AL -- The U.S. Agency for International
Development (USAID) today awarded IFDC a US $584,800 grant for a
project to develop agricultural input markets in Ghana. The
1-year project, entitled "Technical and Business Training for
Agricultural Input Dealers and Importers in Ghana," will set
the stage for the development of a market-based agricultural inputs
marketing system, which will improve smallholder access in Ghana to
affordable, appropriate, and improved quality seed and fertilizers
through entrepreneurs both at the procurement and distribution
levels.
In particular, the project will provide needs-based localized
training programs and workshops targeted to upgrade the business
acumen and technical knowledge of private sector agricultural input
marketers, bankers, and officials of the Ministry of Food and
Agriculture (MOFA). The project staff will also provide direct
technical assistance to private sector entrepreneurs on such matters
as strategic planning, demand forecasting, dealer-farmer advisory
services, safety issues, procurement, and credit.
Upon learning of
the new grant to IFDC to further its work in market development in
Africa, U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions (R-Alabama) had this to say:
"Over the years I have worked closely with the IFDC, and I am
pleased that USAID has recognized the critical need they meet.
IFDC has a long history of improving the quality of life for rural
populations across the world, and I know that the citizens of Ghana
will benefit from their work."
In 2001 IFDC, with funding support from USAID, the Netherlands
Minister for development Cooperation (DGIS), and Sasakawa Global
2000 (SG 2000), completed an Action Plan for Developing Agricultural
Inputs Markets in Ghana. The Action Plan recommended a holistic
approach to strengthen the functioning of the inputs markets by
focusing efforts on policy environment, human capital development,
improved access to finance and information, and
effective enforcement of regulatory systems. Based on the Action
Plan, USAID/Ghana has agreed to fund the 1-year project activity,
which will focus on the development of human capital and lay the
foundation for the long-term project on market development.
The need for agricultural advancement in Ghana is critical.
The country needs to boost its agricultural productivity in order to
increase rural incomes, meet the growing demand for food, and
reverse the rapid soil nutrient depletion that degrades the
environment. Currently, about 29% of the Ghanaians live below
the national poverty line. The most affected are the rural
poor and women. This undesirable situation is partly due to
the low agricultural productivity arising from the inherently low
fertility of Ghanaian soils and a low fertilizer use (3.1 kg of
nutrients per hectare). IFDC staff members who are involved in
the new project hope to rectify this situation.
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