Accra, Nov. 25, GNA - Some 2,200 rural agro dealers in Ghana

are to benefit from US$2.5 million credit facility, courtesy of the

Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and the

International Centre for Soil Fertility and Agricultural Development

(IFDC), Dr Namanga Ngongi President of AGRA, said on Tuesday.. "The project is aimed at supporting about agro 2,200 dealers and

150 seed producers to foster an increase in agriculture productivity,

incomes and well being of about 850, 000 small-holder farmers in

Ghana," he said. The three-year project is dubbed Ghana Agro-Dealer Development

(GADD)and would help increase the availability, accessibility, quality

and affordable agro-inputs and seed in rural areas for sustainable

agriculture. Speaking at a press launch in Accra, Mr Ngongi said research had

revealed that low investment in crop production and inefficient

agriculture practices in Africa had resulted in hunger and malnutrition

of about one third of the continent's population. He said, "About 75 percent of the soil in Africa is depilated. Aside

about 50 hectors of soil nutrient is lost every year in the continent and

this also accounts for insufficient production of food". Mr Ngongi, said only 30 percent of farmers in the continent had

access to improved seeds for cultivation. He said some of the interventions by AGRA to salvage the

situation were to help train people in seed production and agro dealer

development. Dr Kofi Debrah, Country Representative of International Center

for Soil Fertility and Agriculture Development (IFDC) , said activities

to be undertaken during the three-year period are to provide training

and technical assistance to build the capacity of agro-dealers in

creating business linkages with seed and other inputs suppliers. He said GADD would seek to encourage agro-dealers to join

agro-inputs trade associations and provide the organizational training

and support to Ghana Agriculture Associations Business and

Information Center (GAABIC). Mr Debrah said the project would train dealers in the value and

methods of providing service to farmers such as field demonstrations,

soil testing to transfer technology and best agricultural practices. AGRA is a partnership working across Africa to help millions of

small-scale farmers and their families lift themselves out of poverty

and hunger. Its programmes are based on developing practical solutions to

boost farm productivity and incomes for the poor while safeguarding

the environment. AGRA advocates for policies that support its work across all key

aspects of the African agricultural value chain - from seeds, soil

health and water to markets and agricultural education.