SNV Netherlands Development Organisation, a not-for-profit agency, has equipped about 12,500 farmers with advanced skills in sustainable sorghum production in the Northern Region.
The initiative, executed under the ‘Partnership for Sustainable Sorghum Sourcing in Ghana’ (P3SG) project, was launched to encourage more farmers to venture into the production of sorghum.
The project is expected to result in production of over 72,000 metric tonnes of sorghum within the project period – 2023 to 2028.
Guinness Ghana Breweries (GGB) PLC, as a partner, is to serve as an off-taker; providing a ready market for farm produce and enhancing the initiative’s sustainability.
This will also ensure standardisation in the production of high-quality white sorghum for processing purposes to meet the brewery’s specifications.
Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Shani Alhassan Shaibu, commended the two parties for promoting sustainable sorghum production.
“It will also create available and reliable markets for smallholder and commercial farmers; at competitive prices to enable them make the levels of investments needed to expand and grow their farming businesses; as well as provide the incentives needed to attract our teeming unemployed youth into farming,” he said.
He added that it will help complement government’s commitment to enhancing job opportunities for the youth to curb unemployment rates; hence his message of encouragement for the youth to take advantage of this opportunity to change the face of farming in Northern Ghana.
Corporate Relations Director-GGB, Sylvia Owusu-Ankomah, emphasised that hitherto sorghum from farmers was ignored because it did not meet standards – and that can be attributed to inadequate access to production resources including improved seeds; agro-inputs such as fertilizer; financial services for investment in production, and climate variability.
Therefore, the brand is committed to supporting farmers under the programme to upscale and do business the right way to achieve the maximum yield.
This will help improve production techniques to enhance yield while meeting environmental and quality standards, and promote active involvement of women and youth in production and trading to create new dynamics in the sub-sector, she explained.
She called on all farmers and aggregators to work closely together on ensuring its success; and as well, government institutions and partners in the financial sector must join hands toward food safety for all.
Country Director-SNV Ghana, Barbara White Nkoala, said the organisation is committed to strengthening capacity to transform the agrifood, energy and water systems.
The SNV works on four thematic areas – gender equality and social inclusion, climate adaptation, strong institutions and effective government, she said.
“We have made significant contributions to the agriculture, energy and water sectors with a specific focus on the agricultural value chain; and that is our specific value added in the work we do,” she added.
