Providing quality seeds to farmers is the first step towards achieving food security in Ghana

Published 2024년 11월 21일

Tridge summary

The article emphasizes the critical role of seed quality and accessibility in achieving food security, particularly in Ghana, where a significant portion of the population depends on agriculture. It highlights the challenges small-scale farmers face in obtaining high-quality seeds due to logistical, informational, and financial barriers, leading to lower productivity and food insecurity. The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) reports that nearly 40% of Ghana's population was moderately or severely food insecure in 2022.

To address these issues, the National Seed Trade Association of Ghana (NASTAG), with support from AGRA and other partners, has launched the Seed and Inputs Fair under the "Strengthening the Ghana Seed System to Enhance Quality Seed Delivery to Farmers" project. The initiative aims to improve seed quality and availability through strategic partnerships and increased investment.

The article also looks at best practices from Nigeria and Ethiopia, which have successfully reformed their seed systems. It stresses the importance of empowering women in agriculture and the potential of digital tools to support farmers. The article concludes by emphasizing the need for government support, learning from other countries' successes, and the potential for Ghana to become a food basket for West Africa with the right policies and investments.

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

Original content

Achieving food security in any region requires several key factors, but perhaps at its centre lies the quality and accessibility of seeds. For millions of small-scale farmers, having access to high-quality, disease-resistant seeds means the difference between a harvest that feeds their families and one that barely meets their needs. With a population of 34.12 million people, 52% of Ghanaians rely on agriculture for their sustenance and income. Unfortunately, most farmers face challenges in accessing these quality seeds because of barriers such as logistical issues, lack of information, and inadequate funds. This frequently leads to their reliance on low-quality seeds, which fail to boost productivity or support food security. The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) reports that in 2022, 12.9 million people in Ghana, representing 39.4% of the population, faced moderate or severe food insecurity. Considering the necessity to address this challenge, the National Seed Trade ...

Source: Modernghana