The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Mr Eric Opoku, has announced that Almansour Holding in the State of Qatar will establish a $3.5 billion fertiliser production plant and a fertiliser academy in Ghana.
This, he indicated, will be alongside a $1.5 billion all-year-round food production initiative targeting export to Qatar.
Mr Eric Opoku announced these at the ‘Government’s Accountability Series’ news conference at the Jubilee House in Accra on Monday.
The Minister, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Asunafo South, said the Government, with the support of development partners, was setting up a new soya processing plant in Northern Ghana to process soybeans into soya cake and oil.
Mr Eric Opoku said that while the oil is edible, the cake will contribute to a reduction in poultry feed costs in Ghana.
The capacity of the soya plant, he revealed, is 40 metric tonnes per day at an estimated cost of $370,000.
He reiterated that this would provide guaranteed markets for soya farmers in northern Ghana.
“I am happy to report that the sod-cutting ceremony will be done in early 2026,” Mr Eric Opoku stated
Govt to set up national seed bank
The Food and Agriculture Minister also announced that the government will establish a national seed bank to provide timely and quality seedlings to farmers.
This plan, he emphasised, will be achieved through collaborations with the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI) of the University of Ghana and other stakeholders.
A national seed bank is a facility that collects, stores, and researches seeds from a country’s native plants and crops to preserve genetic diversity and protect against extinction.
According to the Minister, these banks are crucial for conservation efforts, providing seeds for reintroduction into the wild, developing new crop varieties, and supporting food security.
Locally-sourced seeds for farmers
The Minister indicated that from 2026, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture will only supply locally-sourced seeds to Ghanaian farmers.
“It is instructive to note that with the support of the Korea Plant Industries Association (KOPIA), Ghanaian farmers are undergoing intensive training in seed production.
“At the same time, the Korea Rural Cooperation (KRC) is developing irrigation infrastructure on 100 hectares of land to support rice seed production. To ensure sustainability and affordability, the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT) has commissioned a 1MW solar farm to power the irrigation systems, with technical support from the Ministry of Energy.
“This project is expected to be completed in 2027. It will produce 10,000 tons of high-quality rice seed, and Ghana will be well on its way to rice seed independence.
“Similarly, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), in collaboration with the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA), is training rice seed producers in Weta, Botanga and Tono.
“In addition, a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with the Government of the Netherlands to facilitate both technical and financial capacity building for the development of vegetable seed production in Ghana,” Mr Eric Opoku disclosed.
€154 million investment for large-scale commercial agriculture
Mr Eric Opoku further disclosed a €154 million investment by the Government of Italy in partnership with BF International, aimed at transforming large-scale commercial agriculture in Ghana.
He said under this initiative, a 10,000-hectare irrigated model farm would be developed for the production of rice, maize, soya, and tomatoes on an all-year-round basis.
Mr Eric Opoku said as part of the project, CIHEAM Bari, an agency of the Italian government, would collaborate with the WACCI to establish a national seed bank while partnering with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to implement a comprehensive soil testing and suitability programme.
He said they would also build schools, hospitals, ICT centres, and community centres for all communities in the production enclaves.
Government to establish 50 Farmer Service Centres
Mr Eric Opoku said the government will fulfill its manifesto promise to establish 50 Farmer Service Centres (FSCs) across the nation.
He underscored that mechanisation is a fundamental requirement for modern agriculture.
He said under the Feed Ghana Programme, his Ministry is establishing Farmer Service Centres (FSCs) across the country.
Mr Eric Opoku announced that procurement processes would soon begin for the acquisition of over 660 tractors, 400 combine harvesters, and related equipment.
“In total, over 4,000 pieces of agricultural machinery and implements are being mobilised to equip the first 50 FSCs,” he stated.
Mr Eric Opoku noted the Centres would provide services such as land preparation, input supply, harvesting support, storage facilities, extension advisory services, market linkage, and equipment leasing at an affordable rate, especially to smallholder farmers.
