In line with the Ministry’s policy of increasing farmers access to mechanised services along the value chain in farming communities, the current number of Agricultural Mechanisation Services Enterprise Centres (AMSECs) established and operational stands at 89 AMSECs from the previous 86 at the end of 2010. The ultimate goal of this AMSEC program is to support the private sector to provide to farmers affordable and timely access to farm power machinery such as tractors for effective land preparation; planters for precision planting; boom sprayers and pumps for proper crop maintenance; and combine harvesters for effective harvesting.

Other goals of the AMSEC program are to increase the low number of tractor to farmer ratio as well as reduce the drudgery and tediousness associated with manual farming operations.

A final evaluation report on AMSECs and other MOFA initiatives carried out by a group of independent consultants, SmarTeam Services Ltd and GIMPA Consulting Services with support from International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)-Ghana Office in 2012, has cited the AMSEC programme as laudable since it has contributed to raising the average area mechanised by farmers (survey) from about 5.3% acres in 2008 to 6.9% acres and 7.8% acres in 2009 and 2010 respectively.

The current regional distribution of the AMSECs is represented in table 1.

Table 1: Regional distribution of AMSECs

Distribution of Medium Power Capacity Agricultural Tractors

As part of AESD’s effort to ensure all categories of farmers have access to farm power machinery, it facilitated the distribution of 50 units of 50 hp cabrio compact tractors with its implements from Czech Republic to farmers nationwide.

The tractors were imported in semi knocked down forms and fully assembled at AESD using local mechanics and technicians.  Unique features on the tractor and its implements (mulching) were demonstrated to beneficiaries to acquaint themselves with its operation and performance.