The government has revealed plans to establish a national seed bank to preserve indigenous crop varieties, strengthening food security and promoting sustainable agricultural production across the country.
The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Eric Opoku, said the initiative would be implemented in partnership with the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI) at the University of Ghana, alongside other local and international stakeholders.
He disclosed this during the Government’s Accountability Series Press Conference at the Presidency in Accra, where he also announced a €154 million investment by the Government of Italy in collaboration with BF International to transform large-scale commercial agriculture in Ghana.
Under the initiative, a 10,000-hectare irrigated model farm will be developed for the continuous, year-round production of key crops including rice, maize, soyabeans, and tomatoes.
The project is expected to strengthen supply chains, stabilise food prices, and boost export potential.
As part of the programme, CIHEAM Bari, an agency of the Italian Government, will collaborate with WACCI to establish a national seed bank, while partnering with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to implement a nationwide soil testing and suitability assessment programme.
In addition to agricultural infrastructure, the project will deliver essential social amenities, including schools, hospitals, ICT centres and community facilities in production enclaves to improve rural livelihoods and support farming communities.
Mr Opoku further revealed that Almansour Holding of Qatar would invest $3.5 billion in establishing a fertiliser production plant and fertiliser academy in Ghana, alongside a $1.5 billion all-year-round food production initiative aimed at supplying the Qatari market.
The government, with support from development partners, is also establishing a new soybean processing plant in Northern Ghana.
The facility, with a capacity of 40 metric tonnes per day and an estimated cost of $370,000, will process soybeans into soy cake and edible oil.
According to the Minister, the soya cake will significantly reduce poultry feed costs, while the entire project will provide guaranteed markets for soya farmers, particularly in northern regions.
“I am happy to report that the sod-cutting ceremony will take place in early 2026,” Mr Opoku stated.
Source: Access Agric
