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Stronger Smallholder Farmer Institutions For Active Participation In Policy Decisions And Sustainable Agriculture

Project Name

Stronger smallholder farmer institutions for active participation in policy decisions and sustainable agriculture

Start Date

12-07-2020

Location

Ghana

Donor

Open Society initiative for West Africa (OSIWA)

Project Duration

6 Months

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Supported by the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), this project aimed to strengthen the capacity of smallholder farmers and their institutions to actively participate in agricultural policy processes and promote sustainable farming practices in Ghana. The initiative focused on increasing farmers’ awareness of key policy frameworks, particularly the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), while equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to engage meaningfully in policy dialogue and decision-making. Through research, stakeholder engagement, and agroecology training, the project enhanced farmers’ understanding of trade opportunities, strengthened institutional participation, and contributed to the advancement of sustainable agriculture and inclusive policy development.

Objective

Promote sustainable farming and encourage political participation of small-scale farmers in Ghana.

Project Summary

The PFAG, is one of the implementing partners of the GIZ’s “Sustainable Employment through Agribusiness” (Agribiz”) program, which is supporting PFAG with advocacy, capacity enhancement programs for members and enhancing access to finance through the establishment of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs). The main activities carried out include:

Establishment of ten (10) Village Savings and Loans Associations
Facilitating the establishment of the Upper East Farmers’ Cooperative Credit Union.
Support advocacy efforts on major government policies including the One Village One Dam (1V1D) and Planting for Food and Jobs Program (PFJ)

Major Outcomes

The major outcomes harvested include:

Completion of a research report which focused on smallholder farmers’ participation in the AfCFTA implementation in Ghana, the opportunity it presents and possible challenges smallholder farmers are likely to face in their participation. The report also explored the effects of past and current trade policies on the activities of SHF and offers recommendation to guide policy makers on the AfCFTA implementation.
PFAG has been appointed to join the technical committee of the MoFA- FAO project entitled: Technical Cooperation on Strengthening Structures and Frameworks for the Agriculture Sector to Participate Competitively in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA).
PFAG is partnering with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture as well as the National AfCFTA coordination office to carry out sensitization workshops aimed at increasing farmers Awareness on AfCFTA across the country.

Frequently asked questions

Find answers to common questions about our projects in our FAQ section.

What is the purpose of this project?

The project seeks to strengthen smallholder farmer institutions and empower farmers to actively participate in agricultural policy discussions while promoting sustainable farming practices across Ghana.

Why is farmer participation in policy decisions important?

Farmer participation ensures that agricultural policies reflect the realities, needs, and priorities of smallholder farmers, leading to more effective and inclusive agricultural development.

What is AfCFTA and how does it benefit smallholder farmers?

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) creates opportunities for farmers to access larger markets across Africa, expand trade, and increase income through improved market access and competitiveness.

What achievements has the project recorded?

The project produced a research report on smallholder farmers’ participation in AfCFTA, secured PFAG’s representation on a national AfCFTA technical committee, and increased farmer awareness through nationwide sensitization and capacity-building activities.

The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG), is the apex Farmer-Based Non-Governmental Organization in Ghana with the mandate to advocate for pro poor agriculture and trade policies and other issues that affects the livelihoods of small holder farmers.

Explore

Working Hours

Monday - Friday 08.00 - 17.00

Saturday Closed

Sunday Closed

Address

House No. E261/17, Kotobabi, Abavana Street, Opposite College of Culinary Services. Accra GA-022-2211