Outline of the Project

Project Name

Project for Enhancing Market-Based Agriculture by Smallholders and Private Sector Linkages in Kpong Irrigation Scheme

Subject

Agricultural/Rural Development

Country

Ghana

Date R/D Signed

September 23, 2015

Project Site

Kpong Irrigation Scheme, Eastern Region, Ghana

Term of Cooperation

January 28, 2016 - January 27, 2021

Implementing Organization

Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA)

Background

Ghana's economy is largely dependent on agriculture, and the growth of the sector is the key to overall development and poverty reduction. Rice is the second most important staple food after maize, and the demand for rice has been increasing as a result of population growth, urbanization and change in consumer habits. However, Ghana depends largely on imported rice to make up for the deficit in domestic rice supply. According to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), Ghana produce approximately 50% of the rice that is consumed, and the rest are imported in 2017. Therefore, it is important to ensure increased and sustained domestic production of good quality rice for food security and foreign exchange savings.

The Accra Plains which is located on the lower right bank of the Volta River consists of about 150,000 ha. In 1968, the Government of Ghana initiated irrigation development in some parts of the Accra Plains. Following the completion of the Kpong dam in 1982, the Kpong Right Bank Irrigation Project (now Kpong Irrigation Scheme: KIS) has put about 3,000 ha of land under irrigation using gravity from the dam. Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA) assumed responsibility over the operation and maintenance of the irrigation infrastructure as well as the agricultural activities of the smallholder farmers. The irrigation infrastructure of KIS has become aged, and there is a need to rehabilitate the facilities.

Against this background, MOFA and GIDA initiated the rehabilitation of KIS as a component of the Ghana Commercial Agriculture Project (GCAP) which is jointly funded by the World Bank and USAID. Once the facilities are rehabilitated, Water Users Associations (WUA) are expected to maintain the irrigation facilities with the financial resource of Irrigation Service Charge (ISC) paid by WUA members. As the majority of the WUA members are smallholders rice farmers, it is important to enhance their capacity on cultivation techniques, farm management and marketing skills so as to increase the productivity and profitability of rice cultivation. The increased incomes would contribute to enabling farmers to pay the ISC sustainably. Additionally, in order to ensure the sustainability of WUAs that operate autonomously, support is needed to strengthen the management and operational capacities of the WUAs.

The Overall Goal

The total agricultural production in irrigation schemes of Ghana is increased.

Project Purpose

The agricultural production in KIS is increased.

Outputs

1. The capacity of GIDA for scheme management in KIS is developed.
2. The management capacity of WUAs is strengthened.
3. The productivity and profitability of rice cultivation is increased.
4. Market-Oriented Agriculture is promoted in KIS.

Project Activities

Activities for Output 1: The capacity of GIDA for scheme management in KIS is developed

1.1	To assess the efficiency and effectiveness of existing scheme management methodologies
1.2	To identify any factors which obstruct the efficient scheme management
1.3	To discuss the mandate of Scheme Management Entity with GCAP
1.4	To study the activities and business plans of SME in KIS
1.5	To design the framework for Project intervention
1.6	To implement capacity development plan including Training Programmes and OJT

Activities for Output 2: The management capacity of WUAs is strengthened

2.1.	To facilitate the establishment of WUAs
2.2	To assess existing capacity in institutional building, O&M and water management, and training needs of WUAs
2.3	To develop appropriate curriculum and training materials
2.4	To conduct trainings for WUAs and the member farmers
2.5	To monitor and follow-up WUA's activities

Activities for Output 3: The productivity and profitability of rice cultivation is increased

3.1.	To identify any factors which obstruct the increase in productivity and profitability of rice
3.2	To assess training needs of rice farmers and extension officers
3.3	To conduct trainings for extension officers of KIS and rice farmers
3.4	To align water use plan with proposed cropping calendar of all member of each branch WUAs.

Activities for Output 4: Market-Oriented Agriculture is promoted in KIS

4.1	To assess training needs of smallholders that promotes Market-Oriented agriculture in KIS
4.2	To design training curriculum for smallholder farmers to promote Market-Oriented Agriculture based on Activity 4.1.
4.3	To conduct baseline survey to identify the activities of private sectors and linkages with smallholders in KIS
4.4	To strengthen linkages between smallholder and private sectors

Inputs
[Japanese side]

Dispatch of Experts, Training (Training for Counterpart in Japan and third countries), Materials, Tools and Equipment.

Inputs
[Ghana side]

Counterpart personnel, Office Space, Counterpart Fund.