Grow Ghana: Empowering Farmers for a Prosperous Food Future

The COVID-19 pandemic and war in Ukraine have caused disruption in the global food chain, limiting access to affordable fertilizers, and exacerbating the global food crisis. Yara's Grow Ghana initiative is an example of our concrete efforts to address the food crisis, by supporting smallholder farmers, contributing to food security and a prosperous future for Ghana and Africa.

Grow Ghana farmer with bag of donated Yara fertilizer

Through Grow Ghana, Yara aims to reach over 100,000 smallholder farmers, providing them with USD 20 million worth of fertilizers, training and demonstration fields to enhance their farming practices. This comprehensive approach not only strengthens Ghana's food security but also catalyzes continent-wide commitments to prevent hunger for 60 million people in Africa.

Prosperity for a nature-positive food future

At Yara, we recognize prosperity as a key pillar of our ambition of Growing a Nature-Positive Food Future, and Grow Ghana is an example of our commitment to growing farmers’ prosperity.

The initiative seeks to improve farmer income and promote sustainable farming practices, by providing them with free bags of YaraMila Actyva fertilizer and delivering an expected outcome of over 500,000 metric tons of cereals. Additionally, the focus on education and training will improve the quality and quantity of food produced, contributing to zero hunger and healthy nutrition.

An essential aspect of the initiative is its emphasis on inclusivity. Through a market-based system, fertilizer distribution reaches key food-growing areas, including remote regions, ensuring that all smallholder farmers have equal access. Moreover, the benefits extend beyond smallholder farmers to reach groups such as the Ghana Prisons Service, orphanages, and women's groups, fostering positive impact and empowering wider communities to participate in agriculture.

Collaboration for the success of Grow Ghana

With 828 million people worldwide going to bed hungry, it’s imperative we work together to ensure food security, while putting the farmer at the center. While, at Yara, we are doing everything in our power to be part of the solution, we cannot do this alone.

Collaboration plays a vital role in the success of Grow Ghana, and the initiative has been driven by the combined forces of several organizations.

Yara is collaborating with the African Fertilizer Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP) as an implementing partner to support with the monitoring and execution of the initiative and post-impact assessment. In addition, The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), will provide technical support to farmers and Agri-SMEs to maximize yields and enhance productivity, through their work with the Alliance for Green Revolution (AGRA) and AFAP.

“In the face of global challenges, Grow Ghana empowers smallholder farmers and protects nature through the power of collaboration and sustainability, setting a model for a future where prosperity, food security and hunger eradication go hand in hand. This initiative is a concrete example of how working together, we can pave the way for a nature-positive food future, where communities thrive, and the planet thrives with them,”

Yara Ghana Team

A model for initiatives driving our ambition

The initiative has already made significant progress, reaching approximately 51,000 smallholder farmers and distributing 9,200 metric tons of free fertilizers through a network of retailers and distributors as at December 2022. The efforts are continuing throughout 2023, aiming to reach a total of 100,000 farmers and distribute 18,000 metric tons of fertilizer.

By empowering farmers, enhancing food security, and fostering positive impacts for communities and the planet, this initiative serves as a model for collaborative efforts that drive our ambition of Growing a Nature-Positive Food Future.