Ghana Agricultural Sector Investment Programme

The programme aims at providing a framework and institutional basis for a long-term engagement and financing for scaling up investments in private sector-led pro-poor agricultural value chain development. GASIP is designed as a long-term programme that will be implemented in cycles of three years each. The initial design covers the first two cycles or six years, with significant core financing earmarked by IFAD. Prior to the end of each cycle, the progress will be assessed for the preparation of the subsequent cycle for which additional financing can be mobilized based on performance, need and availability of resources. This approach is expected to institutionalize permanent learning among programme stakeholders.

GASIP is built along four strategic axes:

• linking smallholder farmers to agribusinesses to enhance pro-poor growth
• nationwide scaling up of a successful value chain investment approach
• promoting and mainstreaming climate change resilience approaches in Ghana, in particular in the northern regions, financed through the Adaptation for Smallholder Agriculture Programme (ASAP)
• knowledge management, harmonization of intervention approaches and policy support.

Value chains would be selected and supported based on the market, demand as well as technical and commercial viability, private-sector investment potential and expected income growth for the programme's target group, i.e. smallholder farmers and resource-poor rural people, in particular women, young people (15-24 years of age) and young adults (25-34 years of age). Based on available data and evidence, initial support will focus on cassava, yam, maize, sorghum, fruits and vegetables.