U.S. Announces Emergency Fertilizer Assistance For Smallholder Farmers

Virginia Elliot
+233244333701

Techiman, Ghana – The U.S. Government formally kicked off a $2.5 million initiative through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to ensure 100,000 smallholder farmers in Ghana receive affordable fertilizer for this planting season. During her visit to Ghana’s Bono East Region, USAID Mission Director Kimberly Rosen announced new support to help Ghanaian farmers shore up the nation’s food security, in light of global food security concerns.

“This funding, part of the United States’ support for food security around the world, will strengthen and deepen our food security initiatives–especially on fertilizers and inputs–for smallholder farmers here in Ghana,” said Rosen, Mission Director for USAID, during a visit to a USAID-supported agro-dealer in Techiman, Bono East Region.

Smallholder farmers, who make up approximately 70 percent of Ghanaian farmers are disproportionally affected by fertilizer price increases.  The U.S. Government’s contribution to the Grow Ghana Initiative,  led by Yara International, ensures fertilizer gets into the hands of the farmers who need it, so that they can remain productive and contribute to food security in their communities and across the nation.

USAID is working with Yara, the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), and the African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP), to help deliver 360,000 bags of YaraMila Actyva fertilizer that will help reduce smallholder farmers’ input costs by one-third.  The Grow Ghana Initiative is expected to run for at least three consecutive farming seasons and will help to feed over one million people in the country.

Since 2010, the United States Government has provided more than $425 million to support Ghanaian farmers – especially in the north – to adopt new techniques, take advantage of new efficiencies, and access global markets.  The support announced today builds on decades of work with Ghana’s agricultural sector.

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About USAID: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is the lead U.S. Government agency that works to end extreme global poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to realize their potential.  USAID’s activities and strategic partnerships support Ghana’s journey to self-reliance. Our work advances an integrated approach to development.  It promotes accountability, sustainable systems, and inclusive development.