The Ghanaian government has announced plans to invest GH¢2.8 billion in 14 regions under the Emergency Support to Rural Livelihoods and Food Systems project. This initiative is a response to the challenges brought about by the 2020 global pandemic and is aimed at safeguarding livelihoods, incomes, health, and resilience against the impacts of COVID-19 and climate change.
Funded by the Government of Ghana through a loan from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the ESRF Project is in its final phase, which involves the construction of essential infrastructure to enhance the lives of smallholder farmers and beneficiary communities.
The infrastructure projects totaling approximately Thirty-Five Million Ghana Cedis include the construction of farm tracks, water harvesting schemes, drying platforms, and boreholes. Additionally, two 100-hectare water harvesting schemes will be constructed in the Volta Region, and 16 commodity drying platforms, as well as 29.5 kilometers of farm tracks, will be built in various regions. Furthermore, 20 boreholes will be installed in the North-East Gonja, Nanton, Atebubu, Bono East, Northern, and Savannah regions.
Project Coordinator of the ESRF, Dr. Hayford Baah Adade, has called on beneficiaries to ensure the proper maintenance and utilization of the project. He emphasized the importance of collaboration to ensure the successful implementation of the initiatives.
The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, highlighted the importance of contractors adhering to high construction standards, involving supervising agencies such as the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA), the Department of Feeder Roads (DFR), and the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) to monitor the progress of the projects.
The ESRF project is a significant investment in the agricultural sector and aims to build a more resilient and sustainable food system that benefits all members of the agricultural community.
