Ghana Agricultural Development and Value Chain Enhancement (ADVANCE) Project Semi-Annual Report: October 01, 2012- March 31, 2013

The project began in 2012 and is implemented by ACDI/VOCA in collaboration with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) and other stakeholders. The ADVANCE project focuses on improving agricultural productivity through the development of maize, rice, and soybean value chains. The project's implementation strategy involves improving farmer productivity, expanding markets and trade, increasing investment in agriculture and nutrition-related activities, and increasing the resilience of vulnerable communities and households. In the maize value chain, the project aims to improve maize productivity through demonstrations, farmer-led seed production models, post-harvest and warehouse management, and strengthening buyer linkages to northern producers. The project also seeks to track sales of the 2012/13 maize crop through supply chains and support the Ghana Grains Council. In the rice value chain, the project focuses on improving rice production and productivity, increasing rice yields and production volumes, increasing access and use of inputs and equipment, and strengthening rice supply chain relationships. The project also aims to build institutional capacity of rice industry associations and improve rice processing capacity. The soybean value chain is another key area of focus for the ADVANCE project. The project aims to promote the production of soybean seed, improve yields through technology promotion, and strengthen soybean supply chain relationships. In addition to value chain development, the ADVANCE project also focuses on improving access to inputs and equipment, financial services, and outreach and training. The project seeks to increase access to mechanization services, improve business links between service providers and farmers, and strengthen linkages between value chain actors. The project's financial services component aims to improve relationships and knowledge amongst value chain actors, improve capacity of financial institutions to provide value chain financing, and improve credit analysis and use of financial tools. The project also seeks to improve financial management for value chain actors and establish trade finance between value chain actors. The ADVANCE project's outreach and training component involves delivering agricultural messages through radio, television, and other media channels. The project also provides training and capacity building for farmers, extension agents, and other value chain actors. Overall, the ADVANCE project is a comprehensive initiative aimed at improving agricultural productivity and value chain development in Ghana. The project's focus on maize, rice, and soybean value chains, as well as its emphasis on financial services, outreach and training, and institutional capacity building, positions it as a key player in Ghana's agricultural development efforts.