Feed the Future Advance Ii Project Newsletter

FTF ADVANCE II Project Newsletter

FEED THE FUTURE ADVANCE II PROJECT NEWSLETTER

VSLAs Engage in Cooperative Farming to Build their Resilience Two village savings and loans associations (VSLAs) in Kulunkpegu, a farming community in the Yendi Municipal District of the Northern Region, have engaged in cooperative farming as part of their efforts to sustain the running of their savings to support their members farms with seeds during planting season.

The groups known as Gub Kati Mali, which means “Together We Can” and Somsim Vela meaning “Supporting is Hon. Gyiele Nurah (left) Minister of State in charge of Agriculture, and Hon. Salifu Saeed (Northern Good” are made up of 25 members each Regional Minister), together with Mrs. Pamela Bowen, Country Lead, MADE Programme cutting the sod (20 females, 5 males) who farm between during the preharvest event in Tamale. (Photo Credit: Agrihouse Foundation) two to eight acres of maize and soyabean. According to members of both groups th formed in 2015, the benefits that they 9 Annual Pre-Harvest Agribusiness Conference and received from the USAID-funded FTF ADVANCE II propelled them to save Exhibition Event in Tamale. money for their share outs and use their From October 25 to 27, 2019, staff of USAID-funded Feed the Future Ghana Agricultural social fund to start an acre of maize Development and Value Chain Enhancement Project (FTF ADVANCE II) and executives of 10 cooperative farm together in 2018. th outgrower business (OB) networks supported by the project participated in the 9 Annual Pre- The proceeds from the groups Harvest Agribusiness Conference and Exhibition Event at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in cooperative farms that will be harvested Tamale of the Northern Region. this year will be partly shared among members of both groups and partly used Under the theme “Market Access: What is the structured and sustainable pathway?”, the event to re-invest for the next planting season. brought farmers, aggregators, equipment dealers, financial institutions, input dealers, insurance Since the inception of OB networks, the companies, processors, buyers, researchers, government officials, students, telecommunications project has developed training needs companies, trade associations, transporters, development partners, civil society actors and the assessment tools to enable these general public. networks to develop short-, medium-, and long-term plans to promote their The three-day event attracted about 2,100 participants to interact, share expertise and strike businesses, which will increase their business partnerships to promote growth in Ghana’s agricultural sector. The 10 OB network likelihoods to access loans from financial executives from Karaga, Yendi, Gushegu, Nalerigu, Jirapa, Wa, Kusaug, Bawku, Sissala, and institutions. Mamprugu Moagduri were able to establish business relations with value chain actors including Majeed Sana, leader of the Gub Kati Mali buyers, and input dealers, and shared their OB network profiles. group, recounted the instances that led to their encounter with FTF ADVANCE In his keynote address at the opening ceremony, Hon. Gyiele Nurah, Minister of State in charge II. She disclosed how they were of Agriculture, lauded the Pre-Harvest event. He said, “This event has become an important processing sheabutter on a small scale annual national Agric event that all of us usually look forward to because of the increasing prospects of and wanted to progress in their farming good yields and good business that it continues to offer year in year out. I am confident that this year’s activities until they decided to engage the experience will not be different from our expectations and needs. An event like pre-Harvest is district agriculture extension officer for contributing to the realization of our collective dream of increasing agricultural productivity and training, who in turn led them to FTF achieving food security. ADVANCE II. “Before we were introduced to ADVANCE, we did not know how to row … cont’d on page 2 plant, space out our crops, apply fertilizer, …cont’d on page 4

FTF ADVANCE II Project Newsletter

the theme “Grow Digital – Leveraging digital transformation to drive sustainable food systems in Africa.”

This year’s forum saw over 2,400 delegates from 89 countries, including the President of Ghana, H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo and other heads of state and prime ministers, ministers of agriculture, central bank governors, development partners, Cross-section of participants during the opening ceremony of the pre-harvest event in Tamale (Photo Credit: Agrihouse Foundation) representatives of farmer organisations, youth entrepreneurs and other critical stakeholders, to 9th Annual Pre-harvest Agribusiness Conference and discuss and commit to policies, programmes and investments in order to achieve an inclusive and Exhibition Event in Tamale …cont’d from page 1 sustainable agricultural transformation.

I can assuredly tell you all that within the nine years the Pre-Harvest event was added to our national strategic efforts to develop agribusiness, the event has made its own significant contributions to what we have achieved so far, especially the perceptible turn-around we are experiencing in recent time in the northern regions. However, what events like the Pre-Harvest does with its unique congregation of farmers, buyers, processors, transporters, input dealers, equipment dealers, financial institutions, telecommunication companies, policy makers and financial facilitators is to ensure that multiple solutions to challenges are inevitably made available in a way of providing information, business opportunity through networking, interaction, access to the latest machines and tools at a competitive price and a host of opportunities”. CJ Hall (left) with Pearl Coleman Ackah (middle)

The project facilitated linkages between OB networks and winners of the and Gevorg Adamyan (right) during AGRF in Accra, Ghana. (Photo Credit: Eric Sunu) Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC) AgriTech challenge during the event and further presented OB network executives the opportunity to engage young CJ Hall (left) with Pearl Coleman Ackah (middle) entrepreneurs from KIC to discuss how to access innovative services for the At theand forum,Gevorg Adamyan President (right) Akufo during-Addo AGRF called in on management of their networks to the benefit of their members. african heads of stateAccra to-Ghana prioritize. the need to develop systemic policies that seeks to deal with Benjamin Awuni, chairman of Tininyangi OB network in Nalerigu in the the challenges of agriculture in their respective Northern Region, recounted that his participation in the event enabled him to countries. President Akufo-Addo also noted that learn about new innovations in agriculture and informed him on the technology was defining future food security, and appropriate actors to contact for deals. He said, “The pre-harvest allowed me to for that matter, it was important for Africa to leverage the digital revolution to make engage some companies on establishing possible future business relations with agricultural impact. members of our network. What I have experienced here today, I am going to share with all network members so that we can start forging for partnerships and contracts He said, “Digitalization is a revolution that is here with some of these companies. I am glad I was able to share our OB network profile with us and has surely come to stay. Africa has no with them and exchanged contacts with them as well.” excuse but to make the most of it. Our responsibility, whether as leaders of our families, our institutions, FTF ADVANCE II showcases open data kit (ODK) our companies, or our countries, is to tap into this new resource and opportunity at our disposal, to software at the 2019 African Green Revolution make this our time for agricultural transformation Forum (AGRF). across the continent.” From September 3 to 6, FTF ADVANCE II staff participated in the 2019 African Green ACDI/VOCA’s CEO and President CJ Hall, Revolution Forum (AGRF) at the Accra International Conference Center to showcase Executive Vice President Gevorg Adamyan, Chief the project’s smart digital innovations developed to facilitate data collection on the Financial Officer Kevin Haggerty, USAID/Ghana services that outgrower businesses (OB) render to their smallholder farmers. Private Sector Team Leader Pearl Coleman Ackah, ACDI/VOCA Ghana Country The AGRF, which is considered the world’s most important and impactful forum for Representative Emmanuel Dormon and African agriculture, pulled together stakeholders in the agricultural landscape to take practical actions and share lessons that will move African agriculture forward under …cont’d on page 4

FTF ADVANCE II Project Newsletter

StaffStaffStaffStaff CornerCorner CornerCorner Corner USAID-funded Feed the Future Ghana Agricultural Development Value Chain and Enhancement Project (FTF ADVANCE II) has a TheUSAID USAID-funded-funded Feed Feed the the Future Future GhanaGhana Agricultural Development Development Value Value Chain Chain and and Enhancement Enhancement Project Project (F TF (FTF ADVANCE ADVANCE II) has II) hasa a productionUSAID-funded and capacityFeed the building Future Ghanateam whose Agricultural role is Developmentto lead the strategic Value Chain execution and Enhancement of the project’ Projects agricultural (FTF ADVANCE production II activities) has a on USAIDproductionUSAIDpro-ductionfunded-funded and FTFand capacity FTF capacityADVANCE ADVANCE building building II team project II team project whose whosehas hasrolea production role ais to production is lead to leadtheand strateg thecapacity and strategic ic executionbuildingThe execution responsibility team of the whoseof project’s the project’s ofrole theagricultural is to production agricultural lead productionthe strategic andproduction capacity activities execution act building ivitieson FTF maizeproduction and soybean and capacity using building the best team available whose technologies role is to lead at the the strategic local and execution regional of level. the Thisproject’s team agricultural is composed production of a team activities lead, the ADVANCEmaizecapacityon maizeand building soybean II andagricultural soybeanteam using whose theproduction using best role the available isbest activities to leadavailable technologies theon maizestrategictechnologies andat theexecution soybean local at the and using local regional theandspecialist best regional level. available isThis tolevel. teammap technologies This outis composedteam the zone isat composed the ofof local aintervention team and of lead, aregi team theonal in termslead,production level. the ofThis productionon maize and and soybean capacity using building the specialist,best available and technologiesfive production at theand localcapacity and buildinregionalg officerslevel. 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This team also works with other team members to devise tailored strategies to build production capacity in northernaddress productionGhana constraints. This team also works with other team members to devise tailored strategies to build production northern Ghana. capacity in northern Ghana. 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Charlesmanages holds five PCBOs a Master in the of Sciencimplementatione degree inof Horticultureproject activities and in Bachelor the field. of Science degree in Agriculture Charles holds a Master of Science degree in Horticulture and Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture CharlesTechnology holds from a Master the Universityof Science for degree Development in Horticulture Studies and in Bachelor Tamale of His Science hobby de is gree watching in Agriculture animal CharlesTechnology holds a from Master the of University Science degree for Development in Horticulture Studies Bachelor in Tamale of Science. His hobby degree is watchiin Agricngulture animal Technology Technologydocumentaries.Charles holds from a Master the Universityof Science degree for Development in horticulture Studies and Bachelor in Tamale of Science His degree hobby in isa gricult watchingure animal fromdocumentaries. the University for Development Studies, Nyankpala. 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Gushegu and Mion in Moaduri District in the metropolitanAgricultural in the DaffiamaDaffiama Bussie Isa, in Upper Bawku East West and, Nor Bawkuth Science Degree in Engineering, Higher the Northern Region. Northern Region. Nadowli/KaleoNadowli/KaleoHe holds a Bachelor districtdistricts ofs Joseph holds a Master of Municipal,East Region Garu, of Ghana. 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He Agriculture holds a Higher (Post Development Studies in Certificate in Education Nyankpala campus in Harvest Technology) from Diagnosing Plant Health Diplomafrom the in University agricultural of AgricultureScience degree Technology in ScienceKwame and Technology Nkrumah National Diploma in Tamale. Kenneth enjoys Tamale and a teachers’ University of Science Sunyani Technical Problems and eWinnebangineering from Kumasi the fromagriculture the University technology for in Kumasi, and a Bachelor general agriculture ridingRecommending his motorcycle Effective certificate ‘A’ from St and Technology in University and a Plant Tamalecampus. Polytechnic, He enjoys and Devfromelopment the University Studies for- of Science degree in (pDoctorostharvest certificate technology) from andSolutions watching from football. CABI listening to gospel and John Bosco’s Training Kumasi and a Bachelor a Certificate in NyankpalaDevelopmentcollege, in NavrongStudiTamale.eso., agricultural technology fromthe Centre Sunyani for Agriculture Technical Ghana and PPRSD. eReggaeducation music from and the of Science degree in Kenneth enjoys riding SamuelTamaleSamuel . enjoys S enjoysamuel readin readingenjoysg (agronomy option) from Universityand and Bioscience a plant Universityreading. of Winneba andreadingand watching watching and wrestlingwrestling. watching. theAgricultural University Technol ogyfor doctorInternational certificat e from (CABI), the motorcycle and watching (Agronomy option) Ghana. Farouk loves football. Kumasi campus. He wrestling. Development Studies, Centre for Agriculture and enjoys listening to Tamalefrom . theHe Universityloves to read, for Biosciencelistening to news, Internati readingonal , Development Studies, and watching football gospel and reggae music watch football and spend Ghana. Farouk enjoys and reading. timeTamale. with his He family. loves to listening to news, reading read, watch football and and watching football. . spend time with family.

FTF ADVANCE II Project Newsletter

VSLAs Engage in Cooperative Farming to Build their Participants who visited the Feed The Future booth showed great interest in the smart digital innovations that FTF Resilience …cont’d from page 1 ADVANCE II operated. Four organizations (Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania, TRIAS West Africa, PETKUS Technologie GmbH and MFA AgriTech) further expressed the desire to follow up with the project for details and adoption. "It’s amazing how you could use these simple technologies to solve such a big problem in farmer data collection. I will definitely consider your smart innovation" said Emmanuel Yakah of PETKUS Technologie GmbH.

Some members of the two VSLAs in Kulunkpegu in the Gushegu District, Northern Region (Photo Credit: Marian Roberts)

control pest and weed, level our land before planting and even appropriate time for harvesting. But the project built our capacity, taught us all the best farming practices and gave us susu boxes to enable us to save and share out when farming season is about to start. Also, during share out, ADVANCE came in with input dealers to give us the opportunity to buy improved seeds, fertilizers and chemicals,” Sana noted.

Salamatu Iddrisu, also a member of the Somsim Vela group, added “We never thought as peasant farmers that we are capable of saving money until ADVANCE CJ Hall (second left) together with Emmanuel Dormon (first showed us the way. We are now enjoying the benefits because one can request for left), Christel Tshikudi and Gevorg Adamyan (extreme right) loan to support the family in times of educational or health emergencies. Also, for at Feed the Future booth during the AGRF in Accra farming season, we are able to request for loans to invest into our farms and access (Photo Credit: Eric Sunu) inputs and ploughing services.”

They disclosed that, in 2018, they were able to raise an amount of GHS 4,000 The AGRF presented a remarkable platform for new each during a cycle to invest in agro-input purchased during the production partnerships, knowledge sharing, and participants’ season. commitment to policies and programs that will lead to The groups mentioned access to tractor services and to markets as being their future investments. greatest challenge. In order to address their inability to access tractor services

appropriately, the group expressed their desire to register and set up as MTN Mobile Money merchant so that they could obtain transactions commissions that will add to their savings to acquire a used tractor for themselves. Abdullai Wasiu, secretary of the Gub Kati Mali group said, “If we are able to sign up for a MoMo account and run one as a bussiness, we will be able to generate additional savings to be able to acquire a tractor for our group someday.”

FTF ADVANCE II showcases open data kit (ODK) software at the 2019 African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF …cont’d from page 2

FTF ADVANCE II Chief of Party Christel Tshikudi also participated. The project’s Monitoring and Evaluation Manager Eric Sunu manned the USAID Feed The Future Emmanuel Dormon (right) together with Grace Sebugah, booth, where he showcased and explained the impact and functionalities of the USAID/Ghana Programme Management Specialist (middle), project’s digital data management innovations, for example, smartcards, open data and Kris Ozar, Country Representative, Catholic Relief kit and quick response cards, developed to facilitate data collection and efficient Service (left) (Photo Credit: Eric Sunu) management of outgrower businesses.

Contact: FTF ADVANCE II, #1 Tripoli Street, adjacent MJ Grand Hotel I East Legon I Tel: +233 302 520231/2 I [email protected] Website: www.acdivoca.org