FEATS Learning Series

Learning Series: Ghana

A selection of learning documents on strengthening capacity of farmers and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), modernizing facilities of nursery operators and processors, improving quality of planting materials, empowerment of women small holder farmers and promoting use of groundwater in irrigation in Ghana’s tree crop sector.

Since 2015, MEDA has partnered with the Government of Canada to improve the economic well-being of women and men farmers in tree crop industries in Ghana through the “Farmers’ Economic Advancement Through Seedlings (FEATS) project.

The project is working to benefit 100,000 women and men farmers and 35 small enterprises and their employees. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are supported with matching grants to expand their operational and technical capacities to grow quality seedlings.

At the same time, farmers are being provided with trainings and purchase discounts to acquire and plant quality seedlings – planting material with high survival rate, vigorous growth, and high yielding ability – in an environmentally sustainable manner.

Key Themes Include

High-Performance Tree Seedlings and Quality Seedling Supply

Improving the business capacity of SMEs in tree crop industries to produce and distribute high-performance and high-quality tree seedlings

Financial Capacities

Increasing the financial capacity of women and men farmers to purchase high-performance tree seedlings and quality tree crop seedlings

Business Capacity

Increasing the capacity of women and men farmers and SMEs to participate in profitable, environmentally sustainable tree crop businesses, including farming

High-Performance Tree Seedlings and Quality Seedling Supply

Improving the business capacity of SMEs in tree crop industries to produce and distribute high-performance and high-quality tree seedlings

Financial Capacities

Increasing the financial capacity of women and men farmers to purchase high-performance tree seedlings and quality tree crop seedlings

Business Capacity

Increasing the capacity of women and men farmers and SMEs to participate in profitable, environmentally sustainable tree crop businesses, including farming

Policy/Strategy Reform

Strengthening the policy/strategy capacities of the Government of Ghana, its agencies, and leading private firms needed to foster commercial markets for HPTS and Quality Seedlings

More about the FEATS project

The FEATS project partnered with Ghana Cocoa Board, Tree Global, 35 small enterprises, and 25 tree-sector farmer and industry associations to:

  • Increase Tree Crop Farmers’ productivity by improving their knowledge and access to higher-quality seeds
  • Improve the Business Environment by supporting government and businesses to strengthen markets for entrepreneurs and farmers
  • Boost the supply of quality tree crop seedlings by providing better training and infrastructure for businesses and farmers

Overall, MEDA supported nearly 59,000 farmers to plant quality tree seedlings, and almost 25,000 farmers were assisted with seedling purchase discounts to buy and plant quality seedlings. In addition, over 72,000 farmers were trained in Good Agricultural Practices (GAPS), Environment, and Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI), and over 5,600 farmers were supported with access to financing from financial institutions. More than $675,000 in matching grants were provided to grow the businesses of 36 women-led SMEs. Read more about the FEATS project here.

MEDA Moments: FEATS

Resources Available

High-Performance Tree Seedlings and Quality Seedling Supply

Improving the business capacity of SMEs in tree crop industries to produce and distribute high-performance and high-quality tree seedlings

Financial Capacities

Increasing the financial capacity of women and men farmers to purchase high-performance tree seedlings and quality tree crop seedlings

Business Capacity

Increasing the capacity of women and men farmers and SMEs to participate in profitable, environmentally sustainable tree crop businesses, including farming

Policy/Strategy Reform

Strengthening the policy/strategy capacities of the Government of Ghana, its agencies, and leading private firms needed to foster commercial markets for HPTS and Quality Seedlings

FEATS Learning Series Documentaries

Funder

This program was undertaken with the financial support of Global Affairs Canada.

Partners

Ghana Cocoa Board, Tree Global, 35 small enterprises and 25 tree-sector farmer and industry associations