Africa-Press – Ghana. The Agrihouse Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, has opened an agricultural input dealer shop at Kotintaabig in the Nabdam District to improve farmers’ access to essential farm inputs to enhance agricultural productivity.
The facility, established under the Boost-To-Bloom initiative, seeks to reduce the burden on farmers who often travel long distances to access inputs such as seeds, fertilisers, and agrochemicals.
Discover moreAgriculture & ForestrySciencePoliticsThe project is being implemented by Agrihouse Foundation with support from the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and funding from the Mastercard Foundation under the Youth Entrepreneurship for the Future of Food and Agriculture (YEFFA) project.
Building on the success of the one Household, one Garden initiative, the Boost-To-Bloom initiative focuses on improving food security, nutrition, and sustainable income through skills training, value addition, and agribusiness development.
Speaking at the opening on behalf of Ms Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, the Executive Chairperson of Agrihouse Foundation, Mr Abdul Fatahu Shayibu, Field Project Lead at Agrihouse Foundation, said the initiative aimed at empowering women, youth aged between 18 and 35, and persons with disabilities through vegetable production and agribusiness development.
He explained that the input shop was one of 10 to be established across five regions to ensure easy and timely access to farm inputs, particularly as the rainy season approaches.
“In many communities, farmers travel between five and 10 kilometres to access inputs. With this shop located within the community, farmers can easily walk in or contact the shop operator to access what they need,” he said.
Mr Shayibu noted that the project would also organise beneficiaries into groups, provide them with land near water sources, and train them in all-year-round vegetable farming, including dry season production.
He added that the initiative would support beneficiaries with start-up inputs, including land preparation, fertilisers, and other farming essentials, while also equipping them with skills in agribusiness, value addition, and market access.
As part of the intervention, an aggregation centre has also been incorporated into the facility to enable farmers to store and sell their produce collectively, attract buyers, and improve their incomes.
Mr Shayibu said the input shop would be managed by a person with a disability as part of efforts to promote inclusivity and create employment opportunities within the community.
He indicated that the initial stock of the shop would be provided by the project, after which the operator would independently restock through linkages with suppliers.
Mr Rasheed Imoro, Nabdam District Director of the Department of Agriculture, described the facility as a major boost to agricultural activities in the district.
He noted that farmers previously travelled long distances to communities such as Pelungu, Nangodi, and even Bolgatanga to access inputs, increasing production costs.
“This shop will shorten the distance and reduce the cost of accessing inputs. Farmers can now get fertilisers, weedicides, insecticides, seeds, and protective clothing at affordable prices within their community,” he said.
Mr Imoro added that the Department of Agriculture would provide technical support, including training in climate-resilient farming practices, safe use of agrochemicals, and improved production techniques to ensure sustainability.
He said the initiative would also help address challenges such as pests and diseases by ensuring timely access to the right inputs and advisory services.
Mr Joseph Nyagre Yenpusak, Assembly Member for the Kugri-Kotintaabig Electoral Area, commended the partners for the intervention, describing it as a rare opportunity for the community.
He said the input shop would significantly reduce the stress and cost of travelling to distant towns to purchase farm inputs and urged residents, especially the youth and women, to take advantage of the initiative to improve their livelihoods.
Ms Faustina Apana, one of the beneficiary women, lauded the initiative, adding that it would boost their farming efforts and attract more women and youth into agriculture, thereby strengthening food and security resilience of the community.
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