Transforming agriculture through Farm Service Centres: A strategic government initiative for employment and sustainable development
Agriculture remains the backbone of Ghana’s economy, with more than 60 per cent of the population depending on it for their livelihoods.
Despite decades of government interventions, many agricultural initiatives have fallen short, often due to inconsistent prioritisation, weak implementation, and a lack of technical capacity.
The introduction of Farm Service Centres (FSCs), as proposed by the government, presents a transformative, market-driven agricultural policy.
If well implemented, FSCs can unlock Ghana’s agricultural potential and pave the way for sustainable development and job creation.
Role of FSCs in enhancing agricultural productivity
The FSC are envisioned as a localised hubs that provide farmers with access to agricultural inputs, technical support and market linkages.
FSCs are key components of the Agricultural Innovation Systems (AIS) framework, fostering collaboration between farmers, researchers, financial institutions and policymakers.
These centres will serve as one-stop shops for essential farming inputs such as certified seeds, fertilisers, agrochemicals, and expert advisory services.
Additionally, such centres will serve as innovation platforms for the co-creation and dissemination of climate-smart, market-oriented agricultural solutions, as well as value chain facilitators, connecting farmers with processors, traders and markets to ensure equitable gains for all stakeholders.
When implemented properly, FSCs will improve food security, reduce poverty and raise incomes across urban, peri-urban and rural agricultural settings.
Agricultural systems
Agriculture in Ghana can be categorised into three systems, urban, peri-urban and rural, each with distinct characteristics and needs. Tailoring FSC services to each context is crucial for maximum impact.
1. Urban agric
Urban farming utilises limited spaces to grow high-value crops such as vegetables, mushrooms and poultry, using techniques such as greenhousing and rooftop gardening.
FSCs in urban areas should focus on supporting small-scale farmers with targeted inputs, innovative practices and access to export markets.
2. Peri-Urban agric
This system often uses rented or leased land and is typically business-oriented, producing crops and livestock for both local and export markets. Crops include rice, cocoa, cashew, legumes and fruits, as well as poultry and livestock.
FSCs in peri-urban areas can play a vital role by facilitating transportation, infrastructure development, and financial services. Moreover, peri-urban agriculture contributes to local development by improving roads, schools, markets and recreational facilities.
Note: "Cocoa roads", which support cocoa-producing areas, are a prime example of agriculture-linked infrastructure success in Ghana.
The multifunctional nature of peri-urban agriculture positions it as a cornerstone for sustainable development. As a developing country, Ghana should prioritise investments in peri-urban agriculture to maximise developmental returns.
In contrast, countries such as the United States (US) or the United Kingdom (UK) prioritise rural agriculture settings due to abundant land and advanced mechanisation, conditions not easily replicated in developing countries.
3. Rural agriculture
Rural agriculture focuses on large-scale cultivation of staple crops such as yam, cassava, rice, millet, sorghum, and extensive livestock and poultry production.
It relies on family, communal or unclaimed lands. For instance, a person can own a farmland as large as a whole town in rural settings.
FSCs in rural areas must prioritise mechanisation, irrigation and storage solutions to boost production and value chain integration.
Note: Programmes must be tailored to their target environment.
For instance, a poultry production initiative suited for peri-urban areas would struggle in rural settings due to infrastructure gaps such as water, electricity, feed supply, urban labour, scheduled medication, etc., the challenge of the SADA guinea fowl programme.
Empowering youth through ‘Farm Brigades’
FSCs can also tackle youth unemployment through the creation of "Farm Brigades" (an army of youth engaged in agricultural activities), organised groups of trained, resourced and incentivised youth engaged in farming.
For example, a group of 20 young farmers could cultivate 40 acres of rice, with each managing two acres
With proper inputs, support (monthly stipend), each farmer could produce over 50 bags of paddy rice per season.
If implemented across all 16 regions, with 1,000 brigades per region, this programme could engage 16,000 youth annually. Scaling this further to 1,000 brigades per constituency could engage 275,000 youth, creating a powerful, visible alternative to programmes, including the National Service Scheme (NSS), NABCO and Youth Employment Agency (YEA).
It is important to know that Farm Brigades offer more than temporary jobs; they generate measurable agricultural output, curb youth idleness, and eliminate issues such as “ghost names” common in other employment schemes.
These are real jobs producing real food, contributing directly to food security.
Innovation platforms and value chain development
Sustainability requires integrating FSCs within both innovation ecosystems and agricultural value chains.
Innovation Platforms (IPs): These foster collaboration among farmers, researchers and processors to solve systemic challenges such as pest control, post-harvest losses and climate change.
IPs also facilitate access to financial and advisory services.
Value chain development: Strengthening the agricultural value chain ensures all actors, from farmers to processors, benefit equitably.
For instance, banks could offer agricultural loans repaid in kind (e.g., paddy rice) rather than cash, ensuring supply continuity even when farmers face liquidity challenges.
Conclusion and call to action
The Farm Service Centre initiative represents a bold step towards modernising Ghana’s agricultural sector.
It is a vehicle for reducing unemployment, improving food security and promoting inclusive development.
However, its success hinges on effective leadership, technical capacity, and intersectoral collaboration.
Let us commit to turning this vision into reality, empowering our farmers, engaging our youth, and building a resilient agricultural future for Ghana.
The writer is Deputy Director RTD, PPRSD/MoFA)
E-mail: aiddrisualidu@yahoo.com
