The Greater Rural Opportunities for Women 2 (GROW2) project has exceeded its targets, supporting more than 52,000 women smallholder farmers in Northern Ghana. This Canadian government-funded initiative also reached 5,000 micro-entrepreneurs and 61 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The project, launched in October 2021, initially aimed to support 40,000 women farmers, 5,000 micro-entrepreneurs, and 50 agribusinesses. Francis Essuman, GROW2 Country Manager, confirmed these achievements at the project's closeout event. The initiative focused on soybean, groundnut, and processing value chains, significantly boosting agricultural output and local economies.
This success highlights the critical role of targeted interventions in Ghana's agricultural sector, a cornerstone of the national economy. Women farmers are vital to food security and rural livelihoods, yet often face significant barriers to resources and markets. The GROW2 project's achievements align with Ghana's broader economic development goals, which emphasize inclusive growth and poverty reduction. Such projects contribute to reducing regional disparities and strengthening the resilience of rural communities against economic shocks.
Mr. Essuman stated that farmers contributed more than GHS 21 million towards technology costs. He emphasized the farmers' commitment, saying, "Anything you are seeing here, the farmers contributed. So, thank you very much to the women. You are great." This financial contribution underscores the beneficiaries' ownership and investment in their own success.
The project's success implies continued positive impacts on food production and rural incomes in Northern Ghana. Decision-makers will likely examine this model for future development programs. The increased aggregation of produce and adoption of modern farming technologies will enhance market access and profitability for farmers. This could attract further investment into the region's agricultural value chains, fostering sustainable economic growth.
The GROW2 project, funded by Global Affairs Canada, was implemented by Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA). It operated across the Northern, Savannah, and Upper West regions of Ghana. The project's extensive coverage included all districts in the Upper West Region, nearly all in Savannah, and most in the Northern Region. This broad reach ensured a wide distribution of benefits among rural communities.
A key aspect of the project was technology adoption, with over 25,000 women accessing improved inputs. This far exceeded the initial target of 9,000 women. These inputs included fertilizers, certified seeds, and essential farming equipment like tarpaulins and pumps. The project also provided 620 motorized tricycles, significantly improving transportation of produce to markets. These tricycles increased groundnut aggregation by 165% and soybean aggregation by 78%.
Furthermore, the project supported 25 solar-powered irrigation systems, benefiting over 1,900 farmers. It also established more than 15 community-level processing centers. These interventions enhance productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and add value to agricultural products. The Northern Region accounted for the largest number of beneficiaries, with approximately 21,000 farmers, representing 43% of the total.
The GROW2 project also focused on sustainability by involving men in the initiative. Mr. Essuman recounted seeing men accompanying their wives to pick up tricycles, highlighting a supportive community environment. This approach helps ensure the long-term success and impact of the project beyond its formal end date in September 2026. The project's comprehensive strategy, from input provision to market access and community involvement, serves as a strong example for future agricultural development efforts in Ghana.