The Market-Oriented Agriculture Programme in North-West Ghana (MOAP NW) has Wednesday, March 19, 2025, officially closed its operations after eight years of transforming agriculture and improving livelihoods in 14 districts across Upper West, Savannah, and North-East regions.
Since its launch in 2017, MOAP NW has impacted over 83,000 smallholder farmers, boosting crop yields and promoting resilient farming practices. The programme’s integrated approach focused on equipping farmers with tools, training, and market access to thrive in a changing climate.
Some key achievements of the project include a 78-99% increase in productivity among capacitated farmers, the creation of 3,038 full-time job equivalents, and the provision of embedded services to over 12,000 farmers. The programme is also reported to have empowered 871 smallholder farmers, mostly women, with manual handheld push planters.
Lawyer Charles Lwanga Puozuing, Upper West Regional Minister, while addressing the gathering ahead of the closure, re-stated the impact of the project and how it complemented government effort.
“Since 2017, the project has contributed to building the capacities of nearly 400 staff within the Departments of Agriculture across
all 14 partner districts. These departments have not only benefited from capacity-building initiatives but have also received financial support to deliver critical extension services to smallholder farmers, market queens, and other key actors along the agricultural value chain,” the Minister stated.
Lawyer Puozuing re-affirmed the government’s commitment to projects such as MOAP-NW.
“These interventions align seamlessly with the agricultural transformation agenda of the Government of Ghana, reinforcing the sustainability and
impact of MOAP-NW’s initiatives,” he mentioned.
Paulina Rozycka, the Head of the Infrastructure and Sustainable Development Section, European Union Delegation to Ghana, said the MOAP approach aligns with the government of Ghana’s drive to develop the agricultural sector while expanding the economy.
She added that “special attention was given to empowering women and young people, with nearly 600 Village Savings and Loan Associations established, of which over 79% were women”.
She disclosed that 7 solar-powered micro-irrigation schemes were also established for women farmer groups.
Jamila Salifu is one of the many beneficiaries of the project who, while sharing the success story of the project, lamented its closure and called for similar interventions.
The MOAP-NW closure featured visits to project sites, showcasing tangible impacts, such as solar-powered irrigation systems and inclusive contract farming arrangements.
The post Upper West Regional Minister lauds impact of EU-funded Market-Oriented Agriculture Programme first appeared on 3News.
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