Government to Establish National Seed Bank and Large-Scale Irrigated Model Farm — Agric Minister
The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku, has announced plans by the Government to establish a national seed bank in collaboration with the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI) at the University of Ghana and other partners. A national seed bank preserves the country’s plant and crop seeds to safeguard genetic diversity, support conservation, and strengthen long-term food security.
Speaking at the Government’s Accountability Series at the Presidency, Mr. Opoku highlighted a €154 million investment from the Government of Italy, in partnership with BF International, to boost large-scale commercial agriculture. The initiative includes developing a 10,000-hectare irrigated model farm for year-round production of rice, maize, soya, and tomato.
As part of the project, CIHEAM Bari, an Italian Government agency will partner WACCI to establish the seed bank and work with CSIR to roll out a comprehensive soil testing and land suitability programme. Additional infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, ICT centers, and community centers will also be provided within the farming enclaves.
Mr. Opoku further revealed that Almansour Holding of Qatar will invest in a $3.5 billion fertilizer production plant and a fertilizer academy in Ghana, alongside a $1.5 billion year-round food production project targeting exports to Qatar.
He added that a new soya processing plant is being established in Northern Ghana, with a capacity of 40 metric tones per day at a cost of $370,000. The plant will produce edible oil and soya cake, helping reduce poultry feed costs and providing a reliable market for soya farmers in the north.
