Innovation for Agriculture (i4Ag)

Post-Harvest Management for Smallholder Farmers

The Innovation for Agriculture (i4Ag) project, implemented in partnership with GIZ and the Saving Grains Project, is focused on reducing post-harvest losses among smallholder farmers across Northern Ghana. Through hands-on training and innovative post-harvest technologies, the initiative aims to empower youth and women with sustainable solutions that protect crop value, reduce waste, and increase food security.

Objectives

• Equip smallholder farmers with practical knowledge on post-harvest handling and storage
• Introduce affordable and scalable technologies for grain preservation
• Promote agribusiness sustainability by reducing losses and maximizing value
• Increase the participation of youth and women in agricultural innovation

Target Beneficiaries

The project targets youth and women farmers across seven regions:
Upper West, Upper East, Northern, North East, Savanna, Ashanti, and Bono.
With a reach of 20,000 beneficiaries, the project promotes inclusive capacity building and economic empowerment through improved post-harvest practices.

Project Activities

• Community-based training on grain drying, sorting, and storage techniques
• Distribution and demonstration of hermetic storage bags and metal silos
• Workshops on market value retention and food quality standards
• Farmer-to-farmer knowledge exchange and peer learning models
• Awareness campaigns on food loss prevention and climate-smart storage

 

Expected Outcomes / Impact

• 20,000 smallholder farmers trained and equipped with post-harvest solutions
• Significant reduction in grain spoilage and storage-related losses
• Increased household incomes through value retention and quality sales
• Empowered youth and women leading change in post-harvest innovation
• Strengthened food security and improved rural livelihoods in targeted regions

Partners & Stakeholders

• Client: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
• Implementation Partner: Farm North
• Collaborating Partner: Saving Grains Project
• Community Engagement: Local assemblies, farmer cooperatives, and women-led groups