The Ghanaian Ministry of Food and Agriculture

Among Ghana's population, small-scale farmers experience the highest incidence of poverty with 60 percent of food-crop farmers falling below the poverty line. In a country where the domestic economy continues to revolve around subsistence agriculture, confronting the hurdles to a thriving agriculture sector becomes integral in lifting the rural population out of poverty.

The Ghanaian Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) was established to respond to this situation and is responsible for formulating, planning, coordinating, monitoring and evaluating appropriate agricultural policies aimed at economic development throughout the country. The Ministry's mission is to promote sustainable agriculture and agri-business through research and technology development, effective extension and support services to farmers, fisheries, processors and trades to improve local livelihoods.

Their primary objectives are to:

• ensure food security in Ghana
• facilitate the production of raw agricultural materials for industry
• facilitate effective and efficient input supply and distribution systems
• formulate and coordinate the implementation of policies and programs for the food and agriculture sector

The Ministry is made up of three divisions: a National Secretariat, a group of eight Technical Directorates, and Regional and District Directorates. Agricultural Extension Officers, who work for the District Directorates, are perhaps the MoFA's greatest strength—they are well-established within farming communities and work in partnership with local farmers to address challenges and implement technology transfers. Their work links the country's small-scale farmers directly to the Ministry that is formulating policies that impact farming communities.