Australia has provided $1.4 million to build the capacity of Farmer Based Organisations (FBO) in Ghana. The two-year project will help FBOs to improve delivery of their services and have increased access to services and markets along the agriculture value chain.

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) and Australia signed a memorandum of understand on Thursday for the implementation of the project.

Ms Joann Adamson, Australia High Commissioner and the Minister of MOFA, Mr Clement Humado signed the exchange of letters.

The support would be used to train agriculture extension staff in the 10 regions in agribusiness and farm management, agricultural value chain analysis and management, post harvest management and contemporary extension delivery methods. It is also aimed at strengthening the FBO secretariat in the ministry to improve coordination of FBOs as well as develop capacity of selected apex bodies representing FBOs so that they could improve their services to members.

Ms Adamson said the project forms part of Australia’s wider support to agriculture and food security in Ghana and West Africa.