Pre-Briefing: Mission to Ghana

Project: Integrated Farming Systems for the Northern, Greater

Accra, Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Central, Eastern, Upper East, Upper
West, Volta and Western Regions

G8/USA New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition

in Ghana 2013

IFS: Crops, Livestock and Structures

Farm Radio Ghana, Damango-Daboya: AM/FM

Farmers’ Institutes

Media Extension Education Services

Prepared May 16, 2013 By

Dr. Sandra L. Ross
Pink Enterprises LLC
And NGOs: Education and Health Development Trust and its sister, Girl-Child
International, PO Box 24536, Kansas City, Missouri 64131
816-659-4965, ghanaintegratedfarming@gmail.com
WELCOME to this briefing about a proposed integrated farming project I am leading in Ghana.

You will find important information about my project, consulting opportunities, travel and Ghana here.

Consultants: I am looking for American consultants. The project mandate is to only hire Ghanaian nationals.
However, I have line-item budget funding for consultants from America and other countries. I am not making
any guarantees or promises to hire you. But if you have the skill set needed, please send me your resume,
completed USAID Biodata Form and note the consultant position you qualify for. Additionally, please be
advised that your “rate” (consultant fee) will be based on the OMB biodata information you provide which
includes an average what you self-report as what your paid consulting income or current salary for the past 10
years. You are required to submit everything to me as soon as possible, noting that the deadline is July 1, 2013.

The consultant positions I need are in the following areas: (please note on your biodata)

All positions require you to have:

Work with local farmers, government officials, related agencies, and IFS’s New Alliance for Food Security and
Nutrition Working Group, the consultant will assist Dr. Nuhu and Dr. Ross and the local staff to help Ghanaian
farmers in the project target areas to shift from subsistence farming to economic-based agricultural marketing
through the development of effective Farmers’ Cooperatives.
Willingness to travel to and stay for short periods in rural project areas that have dire conditions: mosquitoes,
squat toilets, cold showers/bucket bathing, limited or no electricity, TV, internet or telephone service, and well
water, etc.
Cultural sensitivity, team spirit, and an attitude of service
Open to experiencing the helplessness of living in a foreign culture
Motivation to share environmental stewardship knowledge, skills, and attitudes with others
Ability to adapt best practices to local context
Spend time in target areas analyzing audience and assessing needs
Understand IFS context
And other duties as assigned

NOTE: These are advisory positions without direct supervisory responsibilities. These positions are classified
as consultant, temporary staff.

Per Diem
The U.S. State Department per diem schedule for Ghana is used. Your per diem is provided to pay for
accommodations, meals and other incidental expenses. The project covers round-trip airfare for you from your
U.S. home to Accra, and in-country transportation (road, bus, air, etc.). Accommodation arrangements will also
be made for your stay in Ghana and that will be deducted from the per diem.

Travel to Ghana
You will need:
Passport valid for at least 2 years.
International Vaccination Card with Yellow Fever Shot Immunization valid for at least 2 years at your
expense, as well as any other immunizations you need.
Ghanaian visa that the project will pay fo Your own health insurance coverage if you are not a
permanent project employee.
JOB DESCRIPTIONS
Cooperatives Consultant
Essential Functions: Under the supervision of the Chief Director, the Cooperatives Consultant will work in the
areas of grant administration, reporting, logistics and financial aspects.
Work closely with the grower – members of Ghana IFS Cooperative to understand their needs.
Manage the project including leading the group in research and formulating plans for farm and co-op
development.
Carry out and support educational programs.
Set up logistics for activities to accomplish the goals of the grant.
Serve as IFS liaison, fulfilling all the requirements for fiscal management and reporting.
Share results with other farmers and partners.
Set up sound financial processes and procedures for the co-op.
Serve as financial and reporting liaison to accountant, bank, and consultants on the grant.
Update growers, CBOs, and Demonstration Farm Incubator Advisory Committee on progress.
Travel with co-op members on educational visits to other farms, demonstration farms around the country,
conferences, and workshops.
Coordinate educational and planning activities with consultants and local government, CBO, university and
NGO partners.
Plan and publicize winter workshops / planning sessions / field trips calendar.
Continue with workshops and planning session twice-monthly during the growing season.
Facilitate all workshops, field trips, and planning sessions.
Write up feasibility studies, in collaboration with growers and consultants.
Travel with co-op members on educational visits to other farms, demonstration farms around the country,
conferences, and workshops.
With qualifications in Farming experience, particularly rural living and working, fresh-market vegetables,
organic and sustainable practices.
Commitment to IFS and goals of peace, justice and sustainability.
Minimum two years related experience in farming, marketing, project management or education. Formal
training in these areas a plus.
Familiarity with development and work in Africa, preferably West Africa (Ghana).
Nonprofit experience a plus.
Ability to multi-task and prioritize in a dynamic work environment.
Strong attention to detail and ability to work as a team member with minimal supervision.
Solid written and oral communication skills.
Ability to develop effective work plans, organize details, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
Accounting and project management experience a plus
Extension Education Consultant
Instructs extension workers and develops specialized service activities in area of agriculture modules that have
already been written and the consultant will use to train the farmers.
Plans, develops, organizes, and evaluates training programs in subjects, such as home management,
horticulture, and consumer information.
Prepares leaflets, pamphlets, and other material for use as training aids.
Conducts classes to train extension workers in specialized fields and in teaching techniques.
Delivers lectures to commercial and community organizations and over radio and television to promote
development of agricultural or domestic skills.
Analyzes research data and plans activities to coordinate services with those offered by other departments,
agencies, and organizations.
M & E Consultant
Under the supervision of the Deputy Chief Director, the Consultant will coordinate project management and
ensure that implementation be realized according to the conditions of the loan agreement and based on the
project appraisal report. This includes that ensuring the M&E requirements described are developed and
implemented in a timely fashion that represents the views of key stakeholders. She/He is also responsible for
making sure there is sufficient and appropriate personnel with the right level of resources and other support
needed to implement good quality M&E.
Will be responsible for project progress and the M&E system and will be accountable to the project
coordination committee, relevant staff of the cooperating institution and funding agencies, and appropriate
levels of government ministries. She/he will be accountable to staff (project and partner) and primary
stakeholders for project progress, problems and strategy.
Responsibilities and tasks
Early implementation tasks
Establish the office structure for M&E coordination.
Appoint key M&E staff to the project and supervise their activities.
Guide the establishment of administrative, accounting and project-component M&E systems.
Coordinate revision of the project strategy with key stakeholders to ensure an updated and shared understanding
of the strategy and information needs.
Negotiate approval for changes to the project strategy and processes with funding agencies and cooperating
institutions.
Ensure that an effective and participatory M&E system is established in as decentralized a manner as is possible
and would be effective.
Ongoing management tasks
Prepare and revise the IFS M&E plan and system by seeking stakeholder inputs in order to produce these plans
with the full commitment of all the organizations involved in the project. Present the IFS M&E plan to the
relevant approval bodies in a timely manner for review and approval.
For each service provider contract, ensure that detailed specifications are prepared in a timely, objective, fair
and transparent manner, including the M&E responsibilities and administration of terms and awards.
Make sure the business of the project is conducted in an efficient manner by supervising and monitoring project
implementation. Ensure that timely decisions on corrective actions are made and implemented.
Direct and supervise the day-to-day operations of the project, guided by the project document and the IFS,
providing any necessary amendments to ensure smooth performance.
Mobilize relevant M&E technical assistance in a timely manner, with clearly demarcated responsibilities that
are based on the participatory and equity principles of the project.
Assure that all contractual obligations are adhered to and make the necessary contacts and efforts to ensure
implementation meets project targets.
Regularly appraise staff and provide feedback and support to enable them to do their jobs better.
Communication
In coordination with the IFS Project Communications Specialist, will develop close working relationships with
all project participants and stakeholders – including the primary stakeholders, line departments, private sector
and NGOs – all parties required to establish a shared vision of the project and achieve objectives.
Establish and maintain good working relations with the relevant government ministries, as well as other higher-
level stakeholder groups.
Ensure easy public access to M&E reports and data and make sure they are widely distributed.
Submit required analytical reports on progress – including indications of planned actions and financial
statements – on time and to the relevant bodies, with assistance from M&E staff.
Encourage staff to report frankly on fieldwork, highlighting problems and possible solutions plus lessons
learned. Reward innovation in critical reflection and learning.
Ensure the planning of and participate in key reflection moments – in particular, the annual project reviews.
Sign implementation agreements with the implementing partners, defining the modalities for implementation
and M&E. Ensure that participatory M&E and learning initiatives are specified in terms consistent with the
direction of the project.
Control the budget and safeguard against project funds and assets misuse.
Make all efforts to engage key stakeholders in important external evaluations to ensure an understanding of
locally perceived impacts and problems.
See that all ad hoc evaluation studies needed to gain timely and relevant insights into emerging areas of concern
are undertaken. Make sure the data are shared with all those involved in decision making and follow up on the
implementation of any decisions.
Support external missions in ways that foster a joint learning process that identifies how the project could be
improved further to achieve impact.
The Integrated Farming Systems Project

IFS is a six-year project of the Republic of Ghana and its Ministry of Agriculture via the G8/USA New
Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition that provided $60M funding, of which its budget request is
approximately $20M. It will begin by late 2013 (October). Project Team Leaders are Dr. Albert Nuhu, Chief
Director; and me, Dr. Sandra L. Ross, Deputy Chief Director.
IMPLEMENTATION: Process

TARGET IDENTIFICATON MONITORING AND REPORTING

1. Sensitization on the low-cost nature of the 1. Participatory Monitoring and
Integrated Farming Systems model and the Evaluation (PM&E) Program established
importance of community participation (IFS 2. Panel groups comprised of local
ecological villages) families identified in each community to participate in
2. Identification of beneficiary communities in questionnaires to establish
the Northern Region, Ghana (Table 1A) baseline conditions on key project indicators
3. Identification of beneficiary farming (monitored throughout the project to indicate
communities in the nine (9) other regions, project achievements)
Greater Accra, Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Central, 3. Baseline assessments/methods used to monitor
Eastern, Upper East, Upper West, Volta, and initial perception of farming as a livelihood
Western (Table 1B) option for women and youth in target areas.
ORGANIZATION 4. Reporting by project partners to Ministry of
Identification of community’s needs, goals and Agriculture Extension Services
visions through Participatory Rural Appraisal
(PRA) and Participatory Action Planning
(PAP) Process
Results from PRA, community needs
assessments and gender analysis integrated into
project work plan (including beneficiary inputs
for appropriate farm developments, appropriate
technologies, waste management and
household energy systems)
Identification of local project community
organizers and farmer trainers
CBO’s/ farmers/ women’s organizations
strengthened or formed in each community
TRAININGS AND CAPACITY BUILDING
Development of ecological training modules in
ecological agriculture and soil conservation
practices (both basic and advanced level
modules), organic fertilizer production, and
sustainable livestock management
Training of farmer trainers
Step-down trainings for farmers in local
communities through the establishment of a
Farmers’ Institutes Farmer-to-Farmer (FI F-2-
F) training network
Research on improved stoves and business
plan for stove production
IMPLEMENTATION OF PROJECT & SUSTAINABILITY PLANNING
DEMONSTRATION LEARNING FARMS 1. IFS programming is improved in response to
Implementation of improved practices from feedback from communities
trainings on Demonstration Learning Farms 2. Ongoing access to ecological farm materials in
Provision of ecological farming materials to communities
community members (improved seeds, organic 3. Continued farmer trainings through the
fertilizer, plant materials, livestock and Farmers’ Institutes Farmer-to-Farmer (FI F-2-
livestock fodder/fencing materials etc.) and F) training networks after project completion
 community seed/material distribution plans 4. Income generating projects established by
developed CBOs/FAs (organic fertilizer production, seed
Participatory research program developed to sales, marketing, crop and livestock
evaluate practices and field materials tested on processing/production, etc.)
learning farms and encourage cross-site visits 5. Continued networking after project completion
Production of organic fertilizer in communities 6. Continued public engagement activities
Plan developed for expansion of results
obtained from on-farm research on
Demonstration Learning Farms into
communities
Research conducted and plan development for
marketing and value-added processes for each
community for income generation.
Production and local evaluation of improved
processing (meat abattoir and crop processing
plant)

Six Year Detailed Work Plan 2013-2019

Work Plan Schedule TBD 2013 to December 2019
Activities Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Indicators
Aug- Jan- Aug- Jan- Aug- Jan- Aug- Jan- Aug- Jan- Aug- Jan-
Nov Jun Nov Jun Nov Jun Nov Jun Nov Jun Nov Jun
2013 2014 2014 2015 2015 2016 2016 2017 2017 2018 2018 2019
Activity 1: Community
Organizing and Capacity
Building
Conduct PRA and Gender X # of communities
Analysis in target Northern with completed
Region communities of PRAs and
seven (7) districts, and Gender Analysis
nine (9) other regions and (Target: #TBD);
target communities of Participatory
Greater Accra, Ashanti, planning &
Brong Ahafo, Central, evaluation
Eastern, Upper East, Upper practices, and
West, Volta, and Western gender
in 186 districts mainstreaming
are
institutionalized
into community
activities and
organizations
Identify and Form Farmer X X # CBOs
Cooperatives CBOs in identified/trained
each target community (M/F) (Target
Capacity building and X X X #TBD CBOs);
management trainings for CBOs report
CBOs increased skills
and confidence
of in CBO
organization &
management,
and
identification of
emerging
opportunities
Identify and train X # of CO
Community Organizers identified/trained
(COs) in each beneficiary (M/F) (Target:
community #TBD Cos);
Quality of
training of Cos
Create Community-led X X X X X X X X X X X X # of CAPs
Action Plans (CAPs) for created;
project implementation frequency of
updates; Quality
of CAP
developed by
CBOs
Establish and implement X X X X X X X X X X X X # of indicators
PM&E Program in each identified and
community data collected;
Farmer
perceptions of
PM&E program
Develop, administer and X X X X X X # of panel group
analyze questionnaire to participation
monitor socio-economic (Target:
indicators: 100 Northern 100/900
Region and 900 in nine (9) participants -
other regions 50% female); #
of questionnaires
administered;
Development,
administration,
and analysis of
Questionnaire
(M/F)
Activity 2: Farmer-to-
Farmer (FTF) Training
Program
Research & develop basic X X X # of basic &
and advanced training advanced
modules on integrated modules
farming systems ecological developed;
farming for food security quality of
and soil conservation training modules
Train TOTs/Farm X X X # of farmers
Managers and Farmer trained (Target
Trainers 40 in Northern 40/360; 50%
Region and 360 in nine (9) female)
other regions on basic
modules
Train TOTs/Farm X X X X # of farmers
Managers and Farmer trained (Target
Trainers, 40 in Northern 40/360; 50%
Region and 360 in nine (9) female); farmer
other regions on advanced trainers gain
modules confidence and
skill sin
sustainable
agriculture
Coordinate CAP for X X # of CAPs for
Farmer’s Institute FTF program
FARMER-2-FARMER
(F-2-F) training
Deliver farmer-to-farmer X X X # of local
training to 500 farmers in farmers trainers
Northern Region and 4500 (Targets
in nine (9) other regions on 500/4500; 50%
basic modules female; 25%
youth)
Deliver farmer-to-farmer X X X X # of local
training to 500 farmers on farmers trainers
advanced modules in (Target
Northern Region, and 4500 500/4500; 50%
in nine (9) other regions female; 25%
youth)
Conduct annual training X X X X X X # and frequency
needs assessments in each of training needs
community assessments;
trainings
continually
tailored to
community
needs.
Activity 3:
Implementation of Best
Practices for Integrated
Farming Systems:
Ecological Farming &
Sustainable Livestock
Management
Establish five (5) project X # of learning
demonstration learning in farms selected
Northern Region and 45 in and prepared
nine (9) other regions; and (Target: 40/360
40 farmers’ volunteer plots learning farms);
on their own land) in community
Northern Region; 360 in announcements
nine (9) other regions, on locations &
designated as learning welcoming
farms to demonstrate community
improved ecological members to visit
farming and soil the farms
conservation techniques through the
season
Collect improved field X X X X X X X X X X X X Quantity of seeds
cultivars and vegetable collected (kg/
seeds variety and
species type)
Distribute improved field X X X X X X Quantity of seeds
cultivars and vegetable distributed
seeds for participatory (kg/seed/village)
variety selection on (M/F); Farmer
learning farms assessments of
seed quality
performance &
taste (M/F)
Coordinate CAPs for seed X X X X X X X X X X X # of protocols
selection, evaluation established;
multiplication and Public
distribution in each announcement of
community seed distribution
plans for 4 years
of the project;
Seed CAP
programs
developed
Implementation of IFS X X X X X X X X X X X Demonstration
ecological techniques on learning farms
learning farms demonstrate
 improved
agricultural and
soil conservation
practices;
Comparison of
farm trial results
between farmers
and between
communities;
Extension of
successes into
community
Coordinate CAPs for X X X X X X X X X # of offspring
sustainable livestock from cockerels
management in each and rams
community including (Target: birds—
back-yard livestock 100 in Northern
husbandry and perennial Region/900 in
forage production nine (9) other
regions; rams—
40 in Northern
Region; 360 in
nine (9) other
regions; #TBD
other livestock);
Farmer
perception of
meat quality
improvement
Collect and distribute X X X X X X X X # of shelterbelt
shelterbelt and fruit trees and fruit trees,
for nursery production and and community
planting in each based tree
community nurseries
(Target: 50,000
trees in
Northern
Region; 450,000
in nine (9) other
regions):
Benefits of tree
planting
documented
including
availability of
fruit and fuel
wood;
community
perceptions of
wind erosion
control & impact
on soil fertility
(M/F)
Organic fertilizer X X X X X X X X X X # of community
production members
producing
compost and
quantity
produced per
village (Target:
50 tons/year in
Northern
 Region; 450
tons/year, nine
(9) other
regions; Farmer
assessments of
compost quality
& impact on soil
fertility and crop
yields (M/F)
Activity 4: Enhancing
Sustainable Economic
Development Through
Value Added Processing
& Market Access
Research value-added and X X X X X X X # of promising
food processing value-added /
opportunities in each food processing
community opportunities
identified ;
perception of
opportunities by
farmers
Develop and coordinate X X X X X X # of community
CBO-led CAP for value- plans for food
added processing and processing
market access in each (Target: #TBD
community CAP)
Train CBOs on relevant X X X X X X # of CBOs
business and marketing trained on
skills for value-added relevant business
activities and marketing
skills (Target:
ALL CBOs
trained)
Assist communities in X X X X X X X X X
securing the necessary
supplies for executing their
respective value-added
business plans
Activity 5: Appropriate
Technologies for
Ecological Farming
Research and improvement X X X X X X X X X X X Stove designs
of stove designs through reflect women’s’
community stove needs & stoves
assessments burn efficiently
and effectively
Production of stoves and X X X X X X X X X X X X # of stoves
farming tools produced
(Target: 250
stoves); quality
of stoves
Establishment of X X X X X X # of stoves
marketing plan and distributed
distribution of stoves and (Target: 250
farming tools stoves
distributed)
Conduct stove impact X X X X X # of stove impact
assessment in each assessments
community conducted in
each community;
# of women
 cooking with
improved stoves;
Qualitative
assessments by
women users of
improved air
quality, labor
burden and fuel-
wood
consumption
Project Management,
Monitoring & Reporting
Formation of Project X X Completion of
Management Team (PMT), Work Plan
Project Implementing
Team (PIT) and initial
project planning and
design
Selection and management X X Staff selected
of project staff and contracts
signed
Designing and setting up X X Clear M&E
the M&E system program in place
Project review, assessment X X X X X X X X X X X X IFS
and performance programming is
monitoring improved in
response to
feedback from
communities
Overall narrative reporting for X X X X X X X X X X X X Annual and
the project to MoA (annual semiannual
and semi-annual) narrative reports
completed in an
accurate and
timely manner
Annual narrative and semi- X X X X X X X X X X X X Annual and
annual report from Project semiannual
Strategic Management Staff narrative reports
and partners as appropriate completed in an
accurate and
timely manner
Staff/community/field activity X X X X X X X X X X X X Staff reports
report consolidation submitted in an
effective and
timely manner
Submission of monthly X X X X X X X X X X X X Monthly reports
reports by Cos submitted by Cos
Financial Management

Overall financial report X X X X X X X X X X X X Annual and semi-

consolidation to Strategic annual financial
Management / Consultants reports completed
Project Chief Director and in an accurate and
Deputy Director assisted by timely manner
Accounting & Procurement
Officer
Quarterly Financial Reports X X X X X X X X X X X X Quarterly financial
for submission to MoA of: reports completed
Documentation of in an accurate and
finances, timely manner
bookkeeping and
accounting of Effective and
individual budget accurate financial
 allocations management of the
project with little
Audit of ALL, over or under
including Partner expenditures
Operations
Integrity of
financial recording
systems maintained

PLEASE NOTE: This is a 10-month schedule. The months of July and December are administrative reporting
and home leave time for project ex-pat, non-Ghanaian staff. See Dr. Ross for clarification.

INTRODUCTION

Background

The New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition is a shared commitment to achieve sustained and inclusive
agricultural growth and raise 50 million people out of poverty over the next 10 years by aligning the
commitments of Africa’s leadership to drive effective country plans and policies for food security; the
commitments of private sector partners to increase investments where the conditions are right; and the
commitments of the G-8 to expand Africa’s potential for rapid and sustainable agricultural growth. (1)

Ghana’s farming systems vary with agro-ecological zones. However, certain general features are discernible
throughout the country. The bush fallow system prevails wherever there is ample land to permit a plot to be
rested enough to recoup its fertility after one to three years’ cultivation. Staple crops are often mixed-cropped
while cash crops are usually mono-cropped. Food crops are mainly inter-cropped, mixtures of maize, beans,
plantain, cocoyam and cassava, you name it. Some areas are characterized by mixed or sole cropping of maize,
legumes, cocoyam or yam. In the northern sector, food crops are mainly sorghum, maize, millet, cowpeas,
groundnuts and yam. Although the majority of rural households keep some sort of livestock, livestock farming
is adjunct to crop farming. Poultry predominates in the south, while cattle production is concentrated in the
Savannah zones. Sheep and goat production is generally widespread throughout the country. (2)

OBJECTIVES AND GOALS

Objectives

This proposal has one major objective; namely, to introduce and promote for adoption on a massive region-wide
scale, and progressively on a nation-wide scale, a farming systems innovation, that has relevance and practical
application in all parts Ghana in crops and animal husbandry -- Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) in crops and
animal husbandry. Specifically, the target population is the smallholder farmer of the Northern regions of
Ghana. It is anticipated that this scale innovation in farming systems will enhance productivity, secure a future
for food security and nutrition, elevate the smallholder Northern farmer from the status of peasant farmer to
an export oriented commercial farmer, and eventually progressively bridge the so called poverty gab between
the North and Southern Ghana in all other aspects. . The scope of this innovation will be limited to the staples
in Northern Ghana; corn (maize), guinea corn, millet, legumes, cows, goats, sheep, pigs and birds.

Other Objectives Include:

1. To draw out a more systematic integration of agricultural production and small scale conversion of the
produce, to ensure longer shelf life and therefore sustainability. In other words, the project will initiate the
processing of agricultural raw materials in Ghana and not just remain at raw material production.

2. To enhance Ghanaian participation and ownership based on Ghanaian plans and projects intended to enable
Ghanaians get a foothold in this area of integrated faming to enhance local Ghanaian processing.
3. To identify and promote crops and animals that lend themselves to mass production and processing, to be
done most effectively and economically, so as to enhance the creation or institutionalization of assured markets
enabling the highest possible employment of the people.

4. To test and refine alternative approaches to organizing and conducting on-farm research and demonstration
projects.

5. To identify agricultural practices which maintain productivity and minimize environmental degradation.

6. To stimulate cooperative formation among integrated smallholder farmers, to eventually encourage farmers
to advocate for protection and advancement of Legislation for Grazing Lands.

7. To stimulate the Organization of License Buying agencies for integrated farm produce as is done in the
cocoa, coffee and shea butter industries.

8. To advocate for and secure mobile abattoirs as a start, and subsequently the acquisition of community
controlled and/or commercial private, fixed abattoirs for animal slaughtering and processing.

The Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) Scale Innovation

Integrated farming system (or integrated agriculture) is a commonly and broadly used term to explain a
more integrated approach to farming as compared to existing monoculture approaches. It refers to agricultural
systems that integrate livestock and crop production or integrate fish and livestock and may sometimes be
known as integrated biosystems. In this system an inter-related set of enterprises are used so that the “output”
(which in more traditional systems may be seen as waste) from one component becomes an “input” for another
part of the system, which reduces cost and improves production and/or income. (9)

The concepts associated with Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) are practiced by numerous farmers
throughout the globe. A common characteristic of these systems is that they have a combination of
crop and livestock enterprises and in some cases may include combinations of aquaculture and trees. It
is a component of farming systems that takes into account the concepts of minimizing risk, increasing
production and profits while improving the utilization of organic wastes and crop residues. In this respect,
integration usually occurs when outputs (usually by-products) of one enterprise are used as inputs by
another, within the context of the farming systems.

The difference between mixed farming and integrated farming is that enterprises in the integrated farming
systems are mutually supportive and depend on each other. The features of IFS include pooling and sharing of
resources/inputs, efficient use of family labor, conservation, preservation and utilization of farm biomass
including non-conventional feed and fodder resources, effective use of manure/animal waste, regulation of
soil fertility and health, income and employment generation for many people and increase in economic
resources. Farming enterprises include crop, livestock, poultry, fish, tree crops, plantation crops, etc. A
combination of one or more enterprises with cropping, when carefully chosen, planned and executed, gives
greater dividends than a single enterprise, especially for smallholder and marginal farmers. (9)

IFS maximize productivity of all component enterprises to provide steady and stable income,
rejuvenates/ameliorates system’s productivity, and achieves agro-ecological equilibrium. It enables the
avoidance of build-up of insect pests, diseases and weed population through natural cropping system and
management to keep them at low level of intensity, and reduces use of chemicals (in-organic fertilizers and
pesticides). It improves space utilization and increases productivity per unit area. It provides diversified
products. It improves soil fertility and soil physical structure from appropriate crop rotation and using cover
crop and organic compost. It enhances utilization of crop residues and livestock wastes. It is less reliant on
outside inputs, such as chemical fertilizers, agrochemicals, feeds, energy, etc. (9)

In IFS, the concept of "pig tractor" system can be very beneficial, where the animals (pigs) are confined in crop
fields well prior to planting and "plow" the field by digging for roots. Poultry can be used in orchards or
vineyards after harvest to clear rotten fruit and weeds while fertilizing the soil. Cattle or other livestock
are allowed to graze cover crop between crops on farms. IFS is ecologically sound and involve nutrient
recycling through the reduction of waste.

The raw material and physical inputs needed for building up integrated farms are accessible in Northern Ghana;
such as native regenerative trees and thatch/grass for making roofing and fencing materials. Locally adapted
progeny, or local breeds of all animals are available, plus improved breeds in the many Livestock
Demonstration Centers Ghana, together with improved grasses like elephant grass and other breeds developed
on the LDCs in Ghana. The Rhode Island Red chickens and eggs and guinea fowls are now available in
abundance in Ghana.

Goals

The goals of this proposal are simple and achievable as follows:

1. To set up five integrated demonstration farms (three in Northern Ghana, one in Ashanti and one in the
Volta region) within one year.

2. To ensure that, within two years, the integrated farming systems innovation is adopted by more than 30
percent of the smallholder farmers in the North, and woven into the fabric of the already existing and
acquired knowledge in crop and animal husbandry.

3. To ensure a gradual but potentially speedy advancement of the adoption of this scale innovation (IFS) by
100 percent of all Northern smallholder farmers within five years.

4. To duplicate and spread this innovation throughout and among at least 60 percent of Ghanaian
smallholder farmer population, concurrently, within the five years indicated above as a viable alternative
for tree crops and other crops and animal production in Ghana.

5. To ensure that in five years at least 60 percent of animals will be reared in farm houses and out of the
streets and neighborhoods of the villages and towns in the North and throughout Ghana.

6. To encourage the use of local natural resources, at least 90 percent of such resources, in the construction
and development of the integrated farms in all areas of Ghana; especially in the construction of farm
animal housing.

7. To ensure continuity throughout many years ahead, through direct and proper guidance, to make this
type of farming business popular among the rural youths, and reduce the influx of rural folks into urban
areas for economic survival.

8. To eventually successfully transition this service, within six years, to the Ministry of Agriculture
Extension Services, to ensure continuity and support for integrated farmers in Ghana.
METHODOLOGY

Extension Services

Essentially, this is a gigantic and aggressive agricultural extension education campaign to embark on. This
proposal is based on the premise that IFS is an innovation that will be introduced to smallholder farmers of
Ghana, and that its adoption will increase agricultural production significantly to the benefit of the smallholder
farmer. This assumption requires the application of all available and known extension education methods to
effect the desired change.

The adoption of innovations follows a well-defined predetermined series of steps beginning with the
dissemination of the idea or innovation in the population or among the smallholder farmers. The purpose of this
dissemination of the information about the innovation is to create awareness of the innovation in as much detail
as possible to peak the interest of the farmers to begin to mentally evaluate and debate the merits and demerits
of the new idea. Once this awareness is created and interest has peaked enough to move farmers to the point of
willing to try this innovation, even on a limited scale, then the likelihood of farmers moving on after the trial
period to adopt the innovation and incorporate it into their farming activities completely can be expected. This
is the giant task this proposal will perform; to effect the adoption of the scale innovation of IFS by smallholder
farmers of Northern Ghana in particular and Ghana in general.

This scenario painted above will require an intensive use of all communication channels to effect the
dissemination and awareness of this innovation among the faming population, teach the farmers the principles
and husbandry practices of IFS, and explain the goals and benefits of IFS, in order to effect adoption. These
communication and media resources include radio, leaflets, word of mouth, meetings, newspapers, videos,
demonstrations, bulletins, news stories, billboards and other resources indigenous to the farming communities
targeted. This aggressive promotion of the IFS innovation will be the core effort for success in getting farmers
to adopt the innovation. It is therefore imperative to prepare, develop and equip a media department to be
deployed fully at every step of our implementation phase.

In the field, the project will start with the creation of model demonstration integrated farms of crops and
animals, as the basic structure or unit, with all the essential ingredients and component aspects of integrated
farming as opposed to mixed farming. These demonstration farms will serve the purpose of “show and
tell/teach” farmers the principles, composition, structural layout, husbandry/cropping practices, management
and the benefits of an integrated farm. The demonstrations will start with a pilot of a few farmers actively,
about 10 or more and gradually involve the others. The information provided to the active participants will be
made available to as many residents as possible through the various media devices we shall employ, community
meetings, radio, videos, etc. Piloting with ten or more farmers with establishment to be active participants in
establishing integrated farming system on their plots in each village will be vigorously undertaken. The main
demonstration integrated farms in the five sites will approximate as far as possible the conditions and available
materials in the villages, using their indigenous trees, local thatch roofing and fencing and grazing on the
available pastures. The farmers will be taught about composting, double planting and crop rotation to insure the
maximum use of the soil, all aspects of animal production.

Concurrently, the project will start laying the foundation and creation of integrated farmers’ cooperatives, which
will embrace integrated farming as the basis for membership. During this process, the project will partner and
work consultatively with the Ministry of Agriculture Extension Services, as the beginning of the process to
transition this project to the Ministry of Agriculture Extension Services within six years. This activity will be
ongoing throughout the life of the project, expanding membership and making the cooperatives a permanent
feature for integrated farmers. The project will teach farmers the principles, composition, structural layout,
practices, management and the benefits of farmer’s cooperatives for the integrated farmers.
A cooperative is business-owned and democratically controlled by the people who use its services and whose
benefits are derived and distributed equitably on the basis of use. The user-owners are called members. (11)
There are two broad categories of agricultural cooperatives – service and production cooperatives. The service
cooperatives provide various services to their individually farming members, and the production cooperatives
operate where production resources (land, machinery) are pooled and members farm jointly. By default, the
agricultural service cooperative is the numerically dominant form in the world, which will also be the focus of
this project.

There are also two primary types of agricultural service cooperatives: supply cooperatives and marketing
cooperatives to be used. Supply cooperatives supply their members with inputs for agricultural production,
including seeds, fertilizers, fuel, and machinery services. Marketing cooperatives are established by farmers to
undertake transformation, packaging, storage, distribution, and marketing of farm products (both crop and
livestock). Farmers also widely rely on credit cooperatives as a source of financing for both working capital and
investments. (12) This project will concentrate on the formation of the supply and marketing cooperatives for
the targeted smallholder integrated farmers.

This project will organize and utilize the concept of Farmers’ Institutes as the nucleus to mobilize for the
education and training of the Integrated Farming Systems to farmers. The Farmers’ Institutes will teach farmers
how to best utilize the space and resources available for growing crops and raising animals. They will teach
Integrated Farming Systems as applied in their specific circumstances. All the farmers will benefit from the
information and will be able to go by the guidelines. Again in this endeavor, the project will partner and work
consultatively with the Ministry of Agriculture Extension Services and other relevant branches of the Ministry
of Agriculture, as the beginning of the process to transition this project to the Ministry of Agriculture Extension
Services within six years. In addition, the project will teach farmers the principles, composition, structural
layout, content husbandry/cropping practices, management and the benefits of the Institutes for the integrated
farmers. Then Institutes will work with each farmer to teach them how to compost, plant appropriate crops,
and rotate crops to maximize soil use. It will provide on-going instruction and feedback for the farmers who
participate in the project. The program will promote composting for many years, because this is not a cultural
norm, a scale innovation into farmers management and farming system. On-site supervision will be necessary
and provided as much as possible. Some farmers will be selected for demonstration farms, and they will learn
how to best utilize better soil and pastures their crops and animals. In addition, all interested members of the
villages and interested farmers will benefit by attending the community Institutes, where the program officer
will explain the process of integrated farming. Anticipated outcomes are better production, and most
importantly, a feeling of ownership and accomplishment for those involved in the project.

Farmers’ Institutes are not new to Ghana. The successes of the cocoa industry can be traced to the valuable
contribution of “Farmers’ Hostels,” as they were called in the Cocoa Division, which effected education and
training of cocoa farmers in the agronomy and husbandry of cocoa. Farmers’ Institutes will utilize night classes
and/or two weeks intensive continuous residential training for farmers, presented by knowledgeable agricultural
instructors, to train farmers in all aspects of crops and animal production as integral components of an
integrated farming system. A core syllabus/curriculum shall be constructed or designed to combine class room
instructions and practical applications in the field. These Farmers’ Institutes shall be a continuous program over
many years, expected to expand to include processing of crops and animal products, cottage industries to
support integrated farming needs, and other processing opportunities.

Organizing for the availability and provision of support services needed for the success of integrated farming is
indispensable. As usual, in this phase, the project will partner and work consultatively with the Ministry of
Agriculture Extension Services and other relevant branches of the Ministry of Agriculture, as the beginning of
the process to transition this project to the Ministry of Agriculture Extension Services within six years. These
support services include primarily storage facilities for grains which will entail the construction of mud silos,
sanitation treatment and recycling of animal waste into farms, production of silage and hay using plant/crop
residue, a rotation system to maximize efficient use of land, water and resources on the farms, and the
encouragement and augmentation of local industries that will provide structural materials for farm housing and
structures; specifically production of thatch roofing and thatch fencing materials. An integral part of the
support system is the establishment of a viable abattoir for the slaughter and processing of animals; first with
mobile abattoirs and then fixed community controlled or privately owned abattoirs, or a combination of fixed
and mobile abattoirs.

Marketing and distribution of farm products is the engine for continuous growth, rising of farm income and
economic empowerment of the smallholder farmer to defeat poverty. The project will definitely partner and
work consultatively with the Ministry of Agriculture Extension Services and other relevant branches of the
Ministry of Agriculture, as the beginning of the process to transition this project to the Ministry of Agriculture
Extension Services within six years. The internal and local market is as important as the export market. The
cooperatives shall undertake internal and local market development and expansion, with establishment of
distribution channels throughout Ghana. The cooperatives shall embark on the exploration and development of
export markets for these grains and animals, including processed materials. This will also include the setting up
of buying agencies for these products, and licensing of buying agents to effect distribution, avail farmers of a
ready market and augment the process leading to export potentials for these products.

The use of comparable benefits (already existing resources within the community) will be critical and important
resources. These comparable benefits include working in cooperative efforts or partnering with all the different
arms of the Ministry of agriculture such as the extension division, crops division, animal husbandry division,
the veterinary services division and Cocoa services division to tap into their already developed and available
resources; and partnering and tapping into the resources of the ongoing rural electrification projects, the water
and well-digging initiatives going on in the country, fertilizer supply resources and channels, rural feeder road
proliferation programs, agricultural research institutes such as Cocoa Research Station at Tafo, Soil Research
Institute and the Universities with agricultural training and research programs in crops and animal production,
and the eleven or more Livestock Demonstration Centers in the Ghana. A major comparable service is the
sharing of experiences and working in close cooperation with SADA. Finally, another important and essential
comparable benefit is to tap the expertise within the Export Promotion Council to advance and promote export
potentials for these grains and animals, including processed products, and for the establishment of processing
industries into the Country (either government owned or public/private sector partnerships and/or solely private
initiatives and foreign investments in such industries with base production facilities located in Ghana).

As alluded to above, Targeted Extension Services are the cornerstone of this project. This refers to basic
agricultural education or extension services specifically targeting the smallholder farmers to adopt the
Integrated Farming Systems scale innovation in agricultural production. Again in this endeavor, the project will
partner and work consultatively with the Ministry of Agriculture Extension Services and other relevant branches
of the Ministry of Agriculture, as the beginning of the process to transition this project to the Ministry of
Agriculture Extension Services within six years.

Research in agricultural farm management and patterns of production has evolved many systems and it is time
to introduce patterns that can lend themselves to easy adoption, proven to be scientifically sound and labor
saving. This project will therefore apply "targeted agricultural extension services" to promote the adoption of
the Integrated Farming Systems scale innovation. It is targeted because the extension education efforts will
focus solely on the introduction and enhancement of the adoption of "Integrated Farming System” among the
smallholder farmers .as the basic cultivation system to affect increased productivity; and all the good things that
will follow.

The targeted extension education services will comprise the establishment and use of the concept of Farmers’
Hostels to bring farmers together in one place for short courses on the concept of Integrated Farming System
and enhance the adoption of "best practices" in integrated farming systems by smallholder farmers; duplication
and multiplication of demonstration farms on smallholder farmers’ farms, to show and teach farmers what
integrated farming system entails; pursue the establishment and formation of farmers cooperatives among
smallholder Northern farmers; encourage creation of processing industries for the crops and animals for export
and internal consumption; pay special attention and encourage the linkage and redirection of research activities
to concentrate on "practical research" derived from the practice and experience of the Northern farmers in
integrated farming; concentrate on the creation of ready markets, including export markets to absorb
production; and most important, advocate for the provision and availability of governmental incentives to
stimulate and encourage the adoption of integrated farming system in the North. The governmental incentives
will include assistance to create storage facilities for products to be used in lean seasons, provision of improved
seeds and breeds, (free or subsidized), provision of production inputs such as needed cultivation tools and
implements of hoes, cutlasses and or tractors, motorized hand ploughs (free or subsidized), and provision or
availability of targeted credit facilities solely for integrated farmers. An indispensable incentive will be the
improvement of physical infrastructure facilities such as feeder roads to and from production areas, irrigation
facilities and opportunities to be shared in common.

A key component function of the extension services will be to encourage and advance the notion of raising
livestock on grass and pasture instead of animals fattened in feedlots, for obvious reasons. This is a known and
familiar animal husbandry practice in the North and costs less for the smallholder farmer. In addition, research
shows that, in terms nutritional profiles, the grass-fed beef or meat comes out ahead. Beef from grass-fed
animals has lower levels of unhealthy fats and higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which are better for
cardiovascular health. Grass-fed beef also has lower levels of dietary cholesterol and offers more vitamins A
and E as well as antioxidants. The study found that meat from animals raised entirely on grass also have about
twice the levels of conjugated linoleic acid, or CLA, isomers, which may have cancer fighting properties and
lower the risk of diabetes and other health problems. The grass-fed meat tastes better, and advocates of pasture-
raised beef say the reasons to switch go beyond nutrition. The animal is raised in a more humane fashion that is
also better for the environment. And, 100-percent grass-fed animals typically aren’t given hormones or
antibiotics. (13)

Finally, the establishment of community controlled abattoirs or mobile abattoirs for animal slaughtering and
meat processing and distribution is proposed. With governmental support, a huge labor pool could be drawn
into farming from the parades of young people hawking on the streets in the cities, towns and villages, For the
meat products from sheep, goats, cows and birds, the creation of community-owned and/or government
supported abattoirs is inevitably the only direction to proceed. The abattoirs could definitely absorb the hawker
labor force on the streets of towns and cities and villages.

This is an attempt to advocate for the development of the two main crops, millet and guinea corn (sorghum)
together with various animals commonly raised in the North, to export levels. These crops, in various
combinations with animals, define the agricultural system in the North. The introduction and encouragement of
integrated farming and/or mixed farming, the development of crop/animal cooperative associations and the
provision of government essential support are the key ingredients that will make the realization of the above
objective possible.

The emphasis in this advocacy is the provision of supports from government, particularly the provision of a
ready market to buy all grains and animals produced, the search and completion of trade agreements for the
export of the crops and animals and their processed products in the world export market, and the subsequent
provision of a community controlled Abattoir to process animal products. The by-product benefit and desirable
consequence is freeing the villages and towns of animals and birds and lay the foundation for the establishment
of animal grazing zones and corresponding legislation. Bush fires shall be controlled too, since farmers will
have direct stake in keeping bush fires to a minimum. The employment opportunities shall be enormous, not
only in crop and animal production, but in the processing industries that will grow from processing the raw
crops and animals at a sustainable level in Ghana.

By implication and special request, another Governmental incentive will be to create an R & D Department to
work closely with the Export Promotion Council, and be responsible for providing needed information and data
on the Market, Processing facilities out there that can be located and operated in Ghana, and determine how to
get the products to both.

Nomadic and uncontrolled grazing into farm lands from Fulanis up North will receive added attention through
an enforcement of grazing zones. Labor from charcoal industry will trickle into crop and animal production and
into processing plants.

Project Implementation Activities

Phase 1
The implementation will commence with piloting of the IFS at 11 selected
sites in 10 districts. Three will be located in Northern Region, (initially two
sites will be in Tamale and Bole with a third site within a year of the
startup); and one site each in the Greater Accra, Ashanti, Brong Ahafo,
Central, Eastern, Upper East, Upper West, Volta and Western regions. The
pilot areas must be accessible by road, near a water source, accessible to
electricity, expanding over a minimum land space of 100 acres and more,
and with abundance of natural resources of trees, grass and relatively good
soil.

The target areas selected are:

(i) Old Tidurope Village, in the Daboya District of Northern Ghana. The
land stretches from the main feeder road linking Tamale and Daboya to the
banks of the White Volta River on the south and stretching eastwards toward Tamale or the village of Kagble.
This land area is over hundred acres, already negotiated for with the Wasipewura, the Divisional Chief of
Daboya. This site will serve farmers in the eastern portion of Daboya District and the majority of the farmers
in the bordering Tolon District.

(ii) The second site will be located on the land alongside the Tachali River, also part of the White Volta River,
located toward at the western end of the Daboya District and on the border with the Bunsunu/Damongo District,
across on both sides of the feeder road linking Bunsunu and Daboya. The expanse of land here is over 100
acres, also negotiated for with the Wasipewura, the Divisional Chief of Daboya. This site will serve the western
end of the district of Daboya and westwards covering the rest of the Damongo/Bunsunu District.

The Daboya (Gonja Central), Bunsunu/Damongo (West Gonja) and Bole Districts, Northern Region of Ghana
(iii) The third pilot site will be located alongside the Black Volta River, known as the Vonkori River, along the
Ghana/Ivory Coast border in the western end of the Bole District. There is an expanse of uncultivated land
stretching for hundreds of acres, bordering the main feeder road linking Bole and Bouna in the Ivory Coast, on
the Ghana side of the Black Volta River. It has also been negotiated for with the Mandariwura, the next in
hierarchy to the throne of the Bole Divisional Chief. This site will serve the whole of the Bole District and
Northwards to encompass the Sawla/Tuna District.
Wa-Bole Road

Kulmasa

Saru Tuna

Bouna Sawla

Bole

Lampurgo

Wa-Bole Road

(iv) The fourth site will be located at a village in Ashanti Region, specifically on a 95-acre piece of land already
acquired with a lease of 18 years in the Obuasi District at a village called Duaponpong. The site has a stream
running through the length of the 95 acres. All these four sites have access to electricity wiring.

Obauasi and Adansi South Districts, Ashanti Region

(v) The fifth demonstration site will be located in the Volta Region at a site yet to be determined, as shown
below.

Sites in Greater Accra, Brong Ahafo, Central, Eastern, Upper East, Upper West, and Western regions are
described in detail in the RFP submitted to His Excellence John D. Mahama, President of the Republic of
Ghana; Ministry of Agriculture and appropriate ministries and partners.

All of the 12 sites in the 9 regions will be cleared, 10 percent used to construct and erect farm housing structures
for animals (pigs, sheep, goats, cows and birds), and construction of mud silos for storage of grains, 45 percent
allocated for grazing and the rest of the 45 percent for planting of millet, corn, guinea corn and intercropped
with beans.

Specifically, the Ashanti region 95 acres in Ashanti region will also be cleared, 10 percent used to construct and
erect farm housing structures for animals (pigs, sheep, goats, and birds), and construction of mud silos for
storage of grains, 45percent allocated for grazing and the rest of the 45percent for planting of corn, plantain,
cocoyam, and oil palm. Cows will not be reared in this fourth site in Ashanti Region, for obvious reasons of
tsetse fly infestations.

The Volta Region site will be developed just as those in Northern Ghana if the site is acquired in the northern
grassland area of the Volta Region, or developed as the one in Ashanti Region, if the site is acquired in southern
forest area of the Volta region.

All the animal housing structures shall be constructed from locally available materials and modeled after
structures at the Nungua Animal Farm of the University of Ghana, Legon. (See Appendix A)

Fence rotation technique will be utilized to divide the land between grazing land and cropping land. In addition,
the three sites in Northern Region will, if possible expand to introduce mangos, cashew and shea nut trees, as
part of capacity expansion of the demonstration farms.
Phase 2

The next phase will concurrently disseminate information about the IFS innovation among the smallholder
farmers in the districts targeted and initiate the formation of farmers’ cooperatives. The cooperative formation
process will follow the steps outlined in Appendix B, “Steps in formation of Farmers Cooperatives.” These
cooperatives will have the dual functions of service and marketing and will be formed independently in every
village within each of the districts targeted.

Concurrently again, the idea of Farmers’ Institutes for the sole purpose of teaching the principles and husbandry
practices in IFS will be initiated and utilized vigorously. Village primary and middle schools will be used as
classrooms for evening classes together with intensive two-week training courses. , and the commencement of
training and teaching of farmers immediately about IFS. Institutes shall be established in each village with little
financial outlay for accommodation and food. The above steps will be accomplished in the first year.

Project Year 2

The second year will begin with intensive efforts (agricultural extension education efforts) to get farmers to start
trials and possible adoption of IFS in the targeted districts, utilizing local breeds and local materials for housing
construction, modeled after the demonstration farms in their districts. Concurrently, the project will initiate,
encourage and negotiate the establishment of IFS demonstrations on farmer’s farms and plots. At the end of the
second year, an evaluation process; both process end product evaluations, shall be undertaken to determine
achievements and lessons learned to be incorporated into future operations.

Project Year 3, Year 4 and Year 5

The third, fourth and fifth years will focus primarily on extension activities for complete adoption of the IFS
innovation, marketing, and distribution and processing. This will include creating licensed buying agencies,
exploring export markets, developing storage facilities, and capacity expansion. All along from the first year
through the fifth year, the acquisition and operation of a mobile abattoir, leading to the building of fixed
structures for a community abattoir shall be a major task and to establish and operate to affect animal
slaughtering, marketing, and processing of animal by-products.
Animal and Crop (Seed) Stocks

Initial stock of planting seeds and animals will include:

Animal Female Male Year 1 Start-Up Cost Sustainability/Mortality

1. Cattle 10 1 Best practices (BP) breeding *
2. Goat 10 1 Best practices (BP) breeding *
3. Pig 10 1 Best practices (BP) breeding *
4. Sheep 10 1 Best practices (BP) breeding *
Local Birds Female Male
5. Chicken 10 BP Poultry management *
6. Duck 10 BP Poultry management *
7. Guinea Fowl 10 BP Poultry management *
8. Pigeons 10 BP Poultry management *
9. Turkey 10 BP Poultry management *
Seedlings Amount Pesticide Year 1 Start-Up Cost Sustainability/Mortality
Coco BP Nursery management *
Cocoyam BP Nursery management *
Corn (Maize) BP Nursery management *
Guinea Corn BP Nursery management *
Legumes/Bean Varieties BP Nursery management *
Millet BP Nursery management *
Palm Oil BP Nursery management *
NOTES*
Crop Management
Planting materials for crops from local distributers, cocoa stations and partner State Farms Corporation. Will
create nurseries for cocoa and oil palm with seeds from cocoa stations and Kade. Likewise for animals and
local birds with best practices in animal husbandry and bird management along with training (below).
Training and Development
Specially arranged intensive two-week courses at Legon and the various livestock demonstration farms, which
combine the teaching of both crop and animal husbandry and poultry management, for the Technical Staff and
farm workers; and additional week or two for technical staff in selected crops and animals. Technical and farm
workers will teach husbandry practices in integrated farming at Farmers’ Institutes, in addition to their tasks at
the demonstration farms. Training will be contracted with Legon Nungua Farms in the first year of operation,
estimated at $25,000.00 for all 65 employees.

Monitoring and Evaluation: PLAN FOR MEASURING PROJECT RESULTS (See Appendix E)

Project M & E Methodology

USAID New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition in Ghana M & E guideline and procedures will be used
in compliance with the Republic of Ghana, Ministry of Agriculture and other appropriate oversight divisions
and ministries.

Specifically monitored within governmental entities will be:

Food availability and the number of farmers with integrated farms, farmers in the cooperatives, families who
take advantage of the information offered to them. The MOA already has its statics and data collection methods
in place to facilitate the project M & E activities. Additional training and collaboration of resources will also be
utilized.
Monitoring and Evaluation seeks to monitor and evaluate development investments and processes in pilot sites,
to establishing independent evidence of performance and impacts. Starting with an extensive baseline study to
establish the critical indicators that affect development and transformation in the zone; define the theory of
change that will affect these development indicators; and collect data annually to monitor poverty and socio-
economic development trends in the area. Farmer’s cooperatives will facilitate timely access to farm inputs,
appropriate production technologies, processing technologies, marketing facilities and channels, disease and
pest prevention/control services/measures for crop, livestock and fishery farmers. Coordinate the agricultural
activities of all agencies involved in agriculture for effectiveness and efficiency Liaise with relevant research
and training institutions for information and assistance for the adoption of improved crop and animal
technology for enhanced agricultural productivity within the NSEZ. Initiate programs and strategies to build a
buffer stock to ensure food security and facilitate the domestic and export marketing of products from the
NSEZ.

CONCLUSION

It appears there has been enough lip service paid to this century old adage about the poverty gap between the
North and Southern Ghana. Free education for Northerners has helped and various policies have also helped to
generate the new class of novo riche in the North, but that is far from settling the question of the gap. This
proposal takes a different view and attacks the issue from the angle of building on what the people already
know and have practiced for a living since time immemorial, inject scientific findings into the status quo and
then sit down and watch the situation bloom.

The Northern smallholder farmer has been the backbone of the agricultural economy in the North. They crop
corn, millet/sorghum, guinea corn, beans, rice, and raise animals like pigs, goats, sheep, cows and all kinds of
birds. They have done this by mono cropping, mixed cropping, land fallowing, crop and animal rotation, and
even adopted chemical fertilizers, line planting, some irrigation and the use of tractors for plowing, planters and
combine harvesters, and yet the gap still expands. On the other hand, all the ingredients exist in the northern
environment and Ghana’s agricultural advances to turn the corner and boost production, save on and reduce the
burden of intensive labor practices, utilize natural fertilizing capacity of farm residues and products of their
farms, and create a sustainable agricultural practice that will see incomes rise, ensure food security and
therefore bridge the gap that has been so much talked about over the years.

In other words, it is time to adopt and practice a farming system radically different from what has been
practiced, yet builds on the accumulated knowledge acquired over the years in farming practices, so as to
augment productivity and reap the benefits of innovations in farming systems. This scale innovation is the
Integrated Farming Systems, and this proposal echoes this new orientation to help solve this chronic poverty
gap.

In order to introduce this concept, publicize it, encourage its adoption and practice, this proposal advocates the
use of demonstration farms and farmers institutes to teach and show farmers the advantages of this system over
what has been practiced in the past, employ the empowering and mobilizing capabilities inherent in agricultural
cooperatives to provide affordable needed services and marketing of their products, and attract government
attention and incentives to progress toward export potential of these Northern crops and animals. This will
slowly but surely expose the Northern smallholder farmer to light at the end of the dark tunnel of this poverty
gap.
Selected Equipment

Meat Display Freezers, http://www.alibaba.com/showroom/meat-display-freezer.html

Flat Style, Sliding Door Meat Freezer Supermarket Style Meat Display Freezer

$700 $1300

Refrigeration Trucks (Meat, Beef, Chicken)

$58000 $62000, Isuzu

http://www.alibaba.com/showroom/refrigerated-truck.html (left)
http://www.commercialtrucktrader.com/find/listing/2013-ISUZU-NQR-98894806 (right)

Industrial Meat (Blast) Freezer, $40000

http://www.alibaba.com/showroom/meat-industrial-freezer.html

Industrial Solar Meat Freezer, http://yangzhouyongfeng.en.made-in-china.com/

$Varies

Multi-function Printer-Photocopier
 HP, $5000, http://www.entercomputers.com/hp-laserjet-m4345xm-mfp-printer-cb428a.html

Xerox Phaser, Color/BW, Tabletop, $4000 (others, http://www.office.xerox.com/multifunction-printer/color-

multifunction/enus.html)

http://www.office.xerox.com/printers/color-printers/phaser-
7800/enus.html

HP LaserJet M5035 Multifunction Printer (Monochrome), $4300, http://www.entercomputers.com/hp-

laserjet-m5035-multifunction-printer-1.html
Extension Services: Deliverables

M&E
Communications and Media
BCC
Field Assessments: Baseline Survey, Focus Groups, Needs Assessment

Marketing and Policy

Campaigns: encourage the adoption of integrated farming system in the North (education)
Creation of ready markets, including export markets to absorb production and internal consumption
Advocate for the provision and availability of governmental incentives to stimulate

Training: Farmers’ Hostel Concept

Animal Husbandry
Compost
Crops
Farmer Cooperatives: pursue the establishment and formation of farmers cooperatives among
smallholder Northern farmers
Fruit Trees
Integrated Farming Systems
Livestock
Pesticide Safety
Soils
Sustainable Agriculture

Education Services
ABE
Campaigns: encourage the adoption of integrated farming system in the North (marketing)
Financial Planning
Management (Crops, Farm, Livestock)
TRAINING PROGRAMS
Ghanaian Farmers’ Institute: IFS School
The Ghanaian IFS School is a unique opportunity intended for Ghana Natives living in remote Northern,
Greater Accra, Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Central, Eastern, Upper East, Upper West, Volta and Western Region
villages to gain the knowledge and skills to grow and raise food to complement a traditional, subsistence
lifestyle. Although the program is open to anyone in Ghana, farmers from the target villages in 10 regions and
designated districts will be given priority for enrolling in the course as they are a partner on the grant. The
courses are absolutely free! The Beginning and Advanced IFS School of the Farmers Institute consists of
instructional classes using traditional classroom and distance delivery including Blackboard, Elluminate Live,
and Teleconference. Live sessions will be offered Wednesday nights from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.

Basic Modules
Introduction to the principles of Integrated Farming Systems: ecology and sustainable agriculture
Soil Fertility and Organic Components of Soils (including introduction to tropical soils, soil properties, and organic
components of soils, composting and manure management)
Cropping Systems (including examples of crop rotations and DIFS - Diversified Integrated Farming Systems)
Farm planning, Food Footprint and Farm Weatherproofing
Green manures and cover crops
Soil and Water Conservation
Food security/dry-season vegetable production
Seed conservation, plant material propagation and multiplication
Bokashi or other indigenous/Ghana-produced organic fertilizer production
Sustainable fodder production and semi-intensive livestock and poultry management
Advanced Modules
Livestock /Poultry health and nutrition
Livestock / Poultry breeding and improvement
Agroforestry / Community nursery management
Disease and Pest Control / Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Abattoir Mobile/Fixed Community management
Crop processing plant management
Nutrition and Food processing, preservation, storage and marketing
Ecological millet and sorghum production
Marketing
Nursery Management
Plant improvement and farmer-led breeding
Sustainable Household Cooking
Participatory Learning and Research (PLAR)
Gender
REFLECT Literacy Method
CBO Management (CBOs only)
Community development (COs only)
SELECTED REFERENCES

1. G-8 Cooperation Framework To Support The “New Alliance For Food Security and Nutrition” in Ghana
(Fact Sheet: G-8 Action on Food Security and Nutrition) and Feed the Future,
http://www.feedthefuture.gov/country-tagged-content/ghana
2. Country Pasture/Forage Resource Profiles, Kwame Oppong-Anane. This profile was written in August
2001 by Dr. Kwame Oppong-Anane (MoFA, 1998)
3. CEPS reports, Last Updated: 03/2010, Data Updated Annually
4. Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Republic of Ghana, Report of Achievements, 2012
5. United States Department of Agriculture
6. Food and Agricultural Organization of United Nations: Economic and Social Department: The Statistical
Division.
7. Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA). SECRETARIAT & ORGANIZATIONAL
STRUCTURE (Including detailed Job Descriptions for Senior Management) Strategy and Work plan (2010
– 2030) Approved by Board of Directors Updated April 9, 2011
8. Farmers’ Perceptions and Adoption of Improved Farming Techniques in Low- Land Rice Production in
Northern Ghana, Samuel A. DONKOH and Joseph A. AWUNI, Department of Agricultural & Resource
Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana.
9. BRDP Call for Proposal No. 7, AGRICULTURE ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT FOR RURAL
BELIZE (AED) 125993/M/ACT/BZ Contract No.002/09 CARDI – Viable Demonstration Farms for
Integrated Farming Systems (IFS); Feasibility Study for IFS, Prepared by Caribbean Agricultural Research
and Development Institute (CARDI), July 2010. ---- Feasibility Study With specific regard to Integrated
Farming Systems (IFS)
10. Delgado C., Rosegrant M., Steinfeld H., Ehui S., Courboi, C. (1999) Livestock to 2020 – The Next Food
Revolution. Food, Agriculture and the Environment Discussion Paper 28. IFPRI, Washington D.C.
11. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
12. COOPERATIVES IN CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURE, Shermain Hardesty, Ph.D., UC Davis, Ag &
Resource Economics Director, Rural Cooperatives Center.
13.UKIAH BLOG , Switching to Grass-Fed Beef, March 15, 2010
14. Cooperative Information Report 7, Revised September 1996, by Galen Rapp and Gerald Ely.
15. Assessing Adaptation Responses by Smallholder Farmers in Northern Ghana to Climate Change and
Biodiversity Loss, by Dr. OSEI-OWUSU, Yaw, Conservation Alliance International, GHANA, Prof. AL-
HASSAN, Ramatu, University of Ghana, GHANA, and Ms. DOKU-MARFO, Ernestina, Conservation
Alliance International, GHANA
16. Factors Affecting the Adoption of Improved Sorghum Varieties among Farm Households in Northwest
Ghana: A Probit Analysis, by John Baptist D. Jatoe, Ramatu M. Al-Hassan and Luke N. Abatania
17. Agricultural Extension Approaches Being Implemented in Ghana, http://mofa.gov.gh/site/wp-
content/uploads/2011/03/Extension-approaches-in-Ghana-.pdf
18. NSF Food Microbiology Lab,
http://www.nsf.org/business/laboratory_services/microbiology_lab/index.asp?program=MicrobiologyLab
19. Microbiology Lab Manual,
http://www.morgancc.edu/faculty/Smith,L/Micro/MicroLab%20book%2007.pdf