Wa East farmer-based groups agree to sell produce to GSFP

Twenty–five farmer-based groups in the Wa East District of the Upper West Region have agreed to sell their produce to the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP).

They agreed to sell their crops to the caterers of the GSFP at the current market prices with an additional 10 per cent margin for credit sales.

This was made known at a workshop organised by The Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV) with support from GSFP and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture on Monday at Funsi.

The groups include the Wa East Cooperative Farmers and Marketing Union and farmer based groups at Chaggu, Dupari, Kulkong, Loggu, Baayiri, Bulenga, Kundungu, Kpaliworgu and Baalekpone communities.

The workshop created a platform for small holder farmers and school feeding caterers in the district, to interact on how to improve their services to the society.

Mrs Fati Bodua Seidu, the Country Director for SNV, said most farmers in the district were not aware that School Feeding Programme had a ready market for their farm produce.

She said through the Home Grown School Feeding Programme concept that was developed by SNV, farmers could sell their produce to caterers of the GSFP without having to incur additional costs.

She said 10,000 small holder farmers in Ghana with 30 per cent being women could derive stable incomes through effective participation in the programme which was open, transparent and accountable and could help boost domestic food production.

Madam Cecilia Hamza, the Regional Coordinator of the GSFP, said the programme would have a great impact on the economy as 80 per cent of local foodstuff would be acquired from the farmers by the caterers under GSFP.

She called on the farmers, to ensure that there is a constant supply of the produce demanded by the caterers who she also urged to improve their quality of the food services in the district.