President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the newly launched Vegetable Development Project, also known as Yeredua (“we are planting”), will significantly strengthen market access for farmers and reduce post-harvest losses across the country as part of government’s broader agricultural transformation efforts.
Launching the project in Kukuom, the President noted that the intervention forms a key pillar of the Feed Ghana 2025–2028 Agricultural Transformation Agenda, aimed at restoring food security and boosting agro-industrial growth.
“The Vegetable Development Project is not a standalone intervention,”
President Mahama said. “It is integrated into our broader agenda to restore Ghana’s food security and agro-industrial dynamism.”
Strengthening Production and Mechanisation
Government is scaling up the production of strategic commodities including rice, maize, soya bean, vegetables, cassava, poultry and cashew.
As part of the initiative, Farmer Service Centres will be established nationwide to provide mechanisation services, inputs, repairs and extension support.
“We are expanding and modernising irrigation infrastructure nationwide to ensure continuous production,” the President added.
Building Cooperatives and Empowering Women and Youth
President Mahama emphasised the development of commodity-based cooperatives to strengthen smallholder participation in value chains. Targeted programmes will also support women and young people through backyard poultry and other livelihood interventions.
Improved Storage, Marketing and Agro-Processing
The President stressed the significant market and post-harvest benefits of the project.
“We’re improving storage, marketing and agro-processing capacity to reduce post-harvest losses,” he said. “We are enhancing market linkages with hotels, supermarkets and institutional buyers to ensure stable demand.”
He said these interventions will support the creation of a 24-hour agricultural economy powered by technology, modern infrastructure and guaranteed market opportunities.
High-Return Vegetable Sub-Sector
Describing vegetables as one of the highest-return agricultural ventures, President Mahama said the Yeredua project will introduce:
Climate-smart technologies
Improved seed varieties
Sustainable irrigation management
Guaranteed off-take arrangements
Cold chain and packhouse systems
Capacity building for women-led agribusinesses
Linkages to processing industries for value addition
“When we strengthen the vegetable value chain, we strengthen household nutrition, create jobs, reduce imports and increase farmers’ incomes,” he noted.
Ahafo Region’s Leadership Recognised
President Mahama commended the Ahafo Region for its leadership in staple and high-value crop production.
“The solar-powered irrigation facilities being established here in Kukuom will expand dry-season farming, strengthen farmer cooperatives, increase incomes and position the region as a major contributor to our national vegetable supply chain,” he said.
Appreciation to Partners
He expressed gratitude to hardworking farmers, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, development partners and private sector collaborators including Farm Mate.
Commitment to Transforming Agriculture
The President reaffirmed government’s commitment to supporting smallholder, medium and commercial farmers through modernised infrastructure, mechanisation and value-chain investment.
“With discipline, unity and a shared sense of purpose, we will feed Ghana, we will grow Ghana and we will transform Ghana,” he said.
President Mahama then formally declared the Vegetable Development Project officially launched.
Story: Patrick Asford Boadu
