Accra, May 14, 2025 — The Ghanaian government has officially unveiled a strategic initiative aimed at transforming the country's agricultural landscape through the formation of farmer cooperatives under the flagship Feed Ghana Programme. This move, announced today by the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku, is expected to empower smallholder farmers, enhance productivity, and accelerate Ghana’s journey towards food self-sufficiency and economic resilience.

In a comprehensive press briefing held at the Ministry’s conference room, Minister Opoku emphasized the critical role that farmer cooperatives will play in achieving the government's ambitious goals, including the realization of the 24-Hour Economy envisioned by President John Dramani Mahama.

A Strategic Shift Toward Farmer Organization and Empowerment

"Cooperatives are proven instruments of empowerment," Minister Opoku stated. "They enable farmers, especially smallholders and vulnerable groups, to benefit from scale, collective bargaining, and better access to resources. Forming cooperatives is not just an administrative step; it’s a strategic pathway to transforming our agriculture sector."

The Minister highlighted that organized groups of farmers will be at the forefront of accessing the full range of support offered through the Feed Ghana Programme, which is designed to stimulate productivity, improve market access, and ensure sustainable development.

Key Support Components of the Feed Ghana Programme

The initiative will facilitate farmers’ access to several critical services, including:

• Farmer Service Centres (FSCs): Providing mechanization, input distribution, extension services, and climate-smart technologies, with cooperatives prioritized for access.
• Financial Services: Partnering with banks to deliver tailored financial products such as savings, insurance, and mobile money platforms.
• Credit and Investment: Enabling registered cooperatives to secure loans, high-yield breeds like Kuroiler chickens, feed subsidies, and training.
• Input Subsidies: Offering prioritized access to subsidized seeds, fertilizers, and animal feed.
• Training & Capacity Building: Equipping farmers with modern farm management, agribusiness, and digital agriculture skills.
• Market Linkages: Supporting cooperatives to negotiate better prices and establish long-term contracts with government agencies, hospitals, export markets, and other institutional buyers.
• Policy Inclusion: Giving farmers a voice in national policy discussions at various levels.

Additional Benefits and Call to Action

Beyond immediate support, the formation of cooperatives promises long-term benefits such as knowledge sharing, bulk purchasing, collective marketing, and social safety nets. It also enhances the sector’s appeal to donors and NGOs, fostering further development.

The sector minister urged farmers, particularly women, youth, persons with disabilities, and smallholders, to seize this opportunity. "Our district offices stand ready to assist you in registration, governance training, and linkage to support services. We will also be conducting sensitization campaigns across all regions to ensure widespread awareness and participation," he assured.

Looking Ahead

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture plans to collaborate closely with traditional authorities, local government bodies, and development partners to facilitate the rapid formation and formalization of farmer cooperatives nationwide. The initiative aims not only to improve food security but also to create jobs, foster rural development, and build a resilient agricultural economy capable of meeting both domestic and export demands.

As Ghana steps into this new era of agricultural transformation, the government’s message is clear: unity, organization, and collective effort are key to feeding the nation and ensuring prosperity for all.

For more information or to participate, farmers are encouraged to contact their local agricultural offices.