Local Input Enterprises as Catalysts for Resilience
In Assin Dompem in the Central Region, EMFED Farms has turned agricultural waste into a growing business that supplies farmers with organic compost. The enterprise converts agricultural residues like cocoa pod husks, empty palm bunches and poultry manure into organic compost. With support from the project, the enterprise has doubled its production capacity from 15 to 30 tonnes per day and now supplies 20,000 farmers, including more than 1,500 project participants. This expansion has created 24 jobs, 15 of which are held by young women. For founder Kwabena Mends, the business is creating value both on and off farms. “We are not only supporting farmers to improve their soil health but also creating jobs for young people in the community”, he says.
This organic compost is being used by rice farmers in Assin Akropong. Farmers like Evans Anning and Georgina Amponsah combine EMFED’s compost with practices like row planting and timely weed management to improve yields. For them, access to locally produced organic inputs is supporting improved farm productivity while reducing reliance on external inputs.
A similar success is also happening in the Northern Region. Ntiligira Enterprise, led by Linda Issaka, produces organic compost and bio-insecticides using locally available materials. The enterprise has supplied 200 metric tonnes of compost and 400 litres of neem oil to over 600 women farmers, expanding its operations across five districts.
“These enterprises demonstrate that sustainable agricultural practices are more likely to be adopted when farmers can access the inputs and services they need from viable local businesses”, says Priscilla Animah Obirikorang, Regional Coordinator for the Acting Now project.
Linking Farmers to Markets for Sustainable Livelihoods
The project is also connecting farmers to commercial processors. More than 500 rice farmers in Assin Akropong in the Central Region now have direct access to the Nuanhyi Ghana Ltd Rice Mill, where paddy rice is aggregated, milled and packaged locally. “This partnership has given farmers a good source of markets and improved the quality of rice we process. It benefits both the farmers and our business”, said Shadrach Nuamah, manager of the mill.
For Acting Now, the partnership demonstrates how linking farmers to local businesses can create practical commercial opportunities alongside improvements in production.
Improved market opportunities are also giving farmers greater scope to diversify their livelihoods. In the Ashanti Region, members of the New Edubiase Cooperative Cocoa Farmers Union are expanding beyond cocoa into rice, maize and vegetables.
Household-Level Impact: Income, Food and Decision-Making
Stronger production and diversified livelihoods are also improving household food security. At the Tunteiya Shea Butter Cooperative in Dalun Kukuo in the Northern Region, women are combining shea processing with home gardens. The gardens provide vegetables for household consumption and as an additional source of income.
Connecting the Food System for Greater Resilience
The project approach and results were highlighted during a visit to participating communities by a representative from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Reflecting on the visit, the representative said, “We are seeing very practical, locally driven solutions that are making a real difference in people’s lives. It is impressive how the project connects farmers and businesses in a way that strengthens the entire system and potentially builds long-term resilience.”
The results demonstrate the value of bringing different parts of the food system together, from local input enterprises and farmers to processors, markets and households. As Ghana continues to develop more resilient food systems, partnerships among government, development partners, the private sector and farming communities will remain important to sustaining these gains.