MOFA and IITA implement integrated project to increase productivity

farmers on farm

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture in collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has implemented an integrated project aimed to help farmers intensify productivity and improve household income and nutrition especially women and children under five.

The 5-year project worth 15 million US dollars is funded by USAID.

The integrated project aims at increasing entire productivity of livestock, crops and vegetable production.

The project is currently implemented in Ghana and Mali within the Sudano-Sahelian Zone of West Africa and other African countries.

In Ghana the project is implemented in the Northern region, Upper West Region and Upper West region geared toward ensuring food security across the country.

The Project Coordinator of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Dr. Asamoah Larbi speaking at a field day visit on sustainable intensification of key farming systems in the Sudano-Sahelian Zone of West Africa at Tibali in the Savelugu Municipality, revealed that the entire project aims at increasing productivity between 20 to 30 percent at the end of the five year span of the project.

The 5-year project which is in its second year is expected to end in 2016.

Speaking on behalf of the Northern Regional Director of Agriculture, Mr. Kwaku Dei Antwi indicated that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture main priority is to ensure that the country is food secure hence welcomes the project  and pledged the ministry’s commitment to collaborate with donor partners to support in the development of Agriculture.

He therefore used the opportunity to invite more donor agencies to partner with MOFA to improve Agricultural activities in the region since the region is endowed with Agricultural potentials.

FIILA/SA