Project profile — Ghanaian Farmers' Economic Advancement Through Seedlings

• Ghana (100.00%)

• Agriculture: Agricultural development (31120) (50.00%)
• Industry: Agro-industries (32161) (50.00%)

• Gender equality (significant objective)
• Disability (not targeted)
• ICT as a tool for development (not targeted)
• Trade development (significant objective)
• Climate Change Adaptation (significant objective)
• Biodiversity (not targeted)
• Desertification (not targeted)
• Indigenous Issues (not targeted)
• Environmental sustainability (cross-cutting) (principal objective)
• Participatory development and good governance (significant objective)
• Children's issues (significant objective)
• Youth Issues (significant objective)
• Urban issues (not targeted)
• Climate change mitigation (not targeted)

This project enhances the productivity and profitability of Ghanaian small farmers (women and men) and small enterprises in tree crops industries in Northern, Central and Coastal regions of Ghana. It is designed to respond to the decline in Ghana’s tree crop industry. Working with a Canadian private sector firm, Tree Global Canada, its Ghanaian subsidiary, and women-owned small and medium enterprises in the tree seedling industry, MEDA helps to establish commercial nurseries with distribution networks reaching farming communities across the country.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) increased number of farmers profitably planting quality tree seedlings in an environmentally and economically sustainable manner; (2) strengthened quality seedlings supply chain to support farmers, small enterprises and tree crop industries; and (3) improved business enabling environment to support commercial sales of quality seedlings, including through cost/benefit and feasibility studies, and policy reforms.

Results achieved as of the end of the project (December 2022) include: (1) trained 72,541 farmers (of which 26.2% women) in good agricultural practices and the benefits of planting high-quality seedlings in an environmentally sustainable manner; 86% of these farmers have increased access to, and affordability of, improved seedlings, have acquired knowledge and skills on best practices, and have increased access to finance and market. (2) trained farmers contributed to the production and sale of 12,983,463 high-performance tree seedlings to 80,658 farmers (of which 52.2% women). The targeted women-led SMEs (100%) had enhanced their ability to nurture and supply quality seedlings at affordable price to farmers. The project has helped them to expand their businesses, increased their productive capacities and incomes and enhanced their reputation and status in society. SMEs now follow the nursery standards set by the Ghana Standard Authority (GSA), representing a 20% over achievement compared to the initial target.

• Proactive disclosure