U.S. invests GH₵10m in sustainable fonio production to increase food security and economic opportunities in Ghana

Published 2024년 5월 30일

Tridge summary

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has allocated $742,000 to boost fonio production in northern Ghana, with the aim of enhancing food security and improving the livelihoods of local farmers. This funding will be used by the Ghanaian social enterprise AMAATI to expand its fonio processing capacity from three to ten metric tonnes per day. Fonio, a drought-resistant, gluten-free grain, is rich in nutrients and is known for its ability to regenerate degraded soil. Since 2021, USAID has supported AMAATI in establishing a 1,000-hectare fonio farm and training 8,100 farmers to produce and process the grain. The U.S. is Ghana’s largest bilateral development partner, providing over $140 million in assistance in 2023 for various sectors, and the African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA) allows Ghana to export over 6,500 products to the U.S. duty free.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

The United States Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is investing $742,000 (10.8 million Ghana Cedis) in fonio production to increase food security and improve farmers’ livelihoods in northern Ghana. This funding will support AMAATI, a Ghanaian social enterprise, to expand its fonio processing capacity from three to ten metric tonnes per day at its factory in Tamale. Fonio is a drought-resistant, gluten-free, grain from the millet family. It regenerates degraded soil and is packed with numerous nutrients and health benefits. “Fonio isn’t just a grain; it’s a symbol of resilience, empowerment, and progress, for communities across northern Ghana, especially for women who have limited access to land,” said USAID/Ghana Deputy Mission Director Grace Lang during the opening of the expanded AMAATI fonio factory in Tamale. Since 2021, USAID’s West Africa Trade and Investment Hub (WATIH) has supported AMAATI, which pioneered the revival of fonio in ...

Source: Thebftonline