$1m Boost for Smallholder Farmers in Northern Ghana
Gov’t signs fund management deal with ARB Apex Bank to support women and youth in agriculture
In a major boost for Ghana’s smallholder farmers, particularly women and youth, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture has signed a fund management agreement with ARB Apex Bank to operationalize a US$1 million Revolving Fund under the Food and Nutrition Security Resilience Project.
Funded by the Global Agriculture and Food Security Programme (GAFSP), the initiative aims to improve food and nutrition security across 12 selected districts in the five northern regions and the Oti Region. The Revolving Fund will provide low-interest loans to farmers and agribusinesses involved in the production of staple crops such as maize, rice, cowpea, soybean, and groundnut, as well as in vegetable and poultry farming.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Accra, Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku, lauded GAFSP for the US$20 million grant backing the wider project and expressed appreciation to the African Development Bank for its technical support.
“This Revolving Fund, with a 10% interest rate and flexible repayment terms, is a game-changer for our farmers, especially women-led groups who often struggle to access affordable credit,” the Minister stated. “It will boost incomes, strengthen food systems, and empower communities.”
ARB Apex Bank, which will manage the fund through its extensive network of over 800 Rural and Community Bank locations, was praised for its proximity to rural beneficiaries and strong track record in implementing social investment projects.
Managing Director of ARB Apex Bank, Mr. Alex Kwasi Awuah, assured the Minister and stakeholders of the bank’s commitment to high standards in credit management and project accountability.
“We are honored to be entrusted with this role and will ensure the responsible disbursement and recovery of funds to sustain this intervention,” Mr. Awuah affirmed.
The Revolving Fund complements existing government initiatives like the Feed Ghana Programme and the Ghana Incentive-Based Risk Sharing Agricultural Lending (GIRSAL) scheme, aligning with the broader Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda.
Hon. Opoku urged all stakeholders to ensure efficient fund administration, with a focus on transparency and impact.
“This is about real transformation—ensuring that smallholder farmers, especially women and the youth, can lift themselves out of poverty through agriculture,” he concluded.
