Ghana bets on Grow24 to fix farming and cut food imports
New government strategy links better crop output, job creation, and machinery access through public-private efforts.
GHANA – Ghana has introduced a national strategy known as Grow24, a key part of the country’s 24-Hour Economy plan, aimed at boosting food production and job creation across rural and urban areas.
The strategy, announced during the 2025 State of the Nation Address, is designed to support round-the-clock economic activity by improving farming systems and reducing food imports.
At the heart of Grow24 are two major projects: the Eden Volta Breadbasket and the Shikpon Urban and Peri-Urban Farming scheme.
Both focus on making better use of local land and water resources while supporting farmers with improved tools and knowledge.
The Eden Volta project covers 2 million hectares in the Volta Basin. It focuses on irrigation and farming practices that increase harvests without harming the environment. Early results show yields growing by up to 130 percent.
The Shikpon project, on the other hand, is centred around cities and involves greenhouse farming and micro-irrigation methods. These techniques help farmers use less water while growing more crops.
“Our goal is to feed ourselves, create steady jobs, and build a farming system that can stand up to climate change,” said a spokesperson from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
“We are working with both local and international partners to make this possible.”
One of those partners is the Netherlands, which is offering technical support and training. Dutch companies and farming experts are helping to improve seed quality, build greenhouses, and manage water more efficiently.
These steps are expected to increase local manufacturing and bring better income to smallholder farmers.
In support of Grow24, the Feed Ghana Program is also being rolled out to improve irrigation and promote high-quality seeds.
Combined, these efforts are expected to reduce Ghana’s yearly food import bill, which has remained high despite local potential.
Tractor assembly plant to support mechanisation
In a related move, Ghana has signed an agreement with Turkey’s Hattat Traktör and Ghana’s 10G Globaltech Ltd to build a local tractor assembly plant.
The facility will help reduce the use of manual labour on farms, which still accounts for more than 75 percent of farm work across the country.
“This partnership is about more than importing tractors. We want to build the skills and technical know-how needed to assemble and maintain tractors right here in Ghana,” said Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, after touring the Hattat facility in Istanbul.
“This is how we build a stronger agriculture sector.”
The tractors will be distributed through the Farmer Service Centre program, helping more farmers access machines that suit local conditions.
While the full rollout of the plant has not yet been announced, it is expected to support job creation and increase local manufacturing.
A 10G Globaltech Ltd spokesperson added, “We are focused on making this project a success not just for farmers in Ghana but for the wider region. We believe this partnership will set the stage for a more productive and self-reliant agriculture industry.”
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