Project Update : HBP Launches Farm2Market Program

20-12-2024

Project Update : HBP Launches Farm2Market Program

The Horticulture Business Platform (HBP) has launched a pioneering initiative to transform Ghana's horticulture landscape: the Farm2Market Program. This program, set to be piloted in collaboration with IDH and supported by the Netherlands Embassy, aims to bridge gaps between producers and off-takers while addressing key industry challenges.

The launch event, held on December 19, 2024, at the Airport West Hotel in Accra, saw an impressive turnout of stakeholders, including leading off-takers such as EdenTree, Yaka, UrbanJungle, and FruitMasters, as well as representatives from financial institutions like Fidelity Bank and Zenith Bank, insurance provider Glico, and input dealers such as Green Energy Ghana, Nuner BD, Holland GreenTech, ITC and Farmerline. The event also saw the active engagement of some farmers, producers, and media personnel, underlining the wide-reaching interest and potential impact of the program.

During the launch, stakeholders engaged in meaningful discussions to provide feedback and ideas, ensuring the program aligns with the needs and aspirations of the horticulture sector. The Farm2Market Program is designed to create reliable market access for horticultural products, promote dignified jobs for youth, women, and persons with disabilities (PWDs), and enhance the capacity of HBP member companies.

The program’s approach is multi-faceted, focusing on training and mentorship, market linkages, and access to finance and inputs. Producers with the right mindset, experience, and willingness to adopt innovative practices will be selected and supported to meet grade-A quality standards. Producers will enhance their skills to grow top-quality crops through hands-on guidance in modern agronomical practices. Moreover, formalized off-taker agreements will ensure market stability, allowing producers to supply directly to off-takers at pre-agreed prices. Financial institutions and input suppliers are integral to the program, providing the resources needed for producers to scale their operations from one acre to larger-scale production.

HBP’s objectives for the Farm2Market Program include developing a pool of quality horticulture producers through technical training and facilitating financial support for qualified producers. By fostering collaboration among stakeholders, the program will address challenges such as inconsistent product quality, unreliable supply chains, and limited access to capital for off-takers. For producers, the program offers solutions to price volatility, inadequate financing, and insufficient technical knowledge.

The expected outcomes of the program are both short- and long-term. In the immediate future, producers will see improved yields and quality through advanced farming techniques, while off-taker agreements will provide stability. Over time, the program aims to increase incomes for both producers and off-takers, create dignified jobs in the MSME horticulture sector, and contribute to national food security. Key performance indicators include the number of off-taker agreements signed, improvements in production quality and yield, and the financial support accessed by stakeholders.

Producers selected for the program must meet specific criteria, such as having at least 2 years of farming experience in habaneros, lettuce, and cucumber, access to suitable farmland and water sources, and a willingness to adopt new technologies.

Interested producers should stay tuned as registration details will be shared soon. By participating in this initiative, stakeholders can collaboratively shape a thriving horticulture sector, ensuring market stability, creating inclusive opportunities, and fostering long-term growth across the value chain.

 

GNBCC | News