Norwegian government strengthens soybean value chain to expand market access for farmers

The Norwegian government has bolstered a €3 million programme to enhance market access for Ghanaian soybean farmers, with the aim of strengthening the country's soybean value chain. The Making Agrifood Markets Accessible (MAMA) programme, led by IDH, will collaborate with AGRA, IITA, and YARA to provide support to smallholder farmers.

Programme Director Mascha Middlebeck highlighted the initiative's focus on policy dialogue, agronomy, seed systems, climate-smart extension services, and input supply. With 10,000 smallholder farmers, 60% of whom are women, the programme aims to generate 20,750 jobs and forge partnerships with six SMEs. The three-year project targets 16 districts across Ghana's northern regions, seeking to improve access to finance, quality inputs, mechanisation, and structured markets.

Soybean plays a crucial role in Ghana's agrifood system, contributing to agriculture, food security, animal feed production, and income generation, particularly for women and rural households. Despite its potential, farmers, SMEs, women, and young people face challenges that the MAMA programme aims to address, including limited access to markets.

Through strengthened linkages between soybean farmers and major buyers, improved access to quality inputs, extension services, and better farming practices, the MAMA programme seeks to promote inclusive growth, ensure equitable resource distribution, and bolster Ghana's soybean production's competitiveness.