Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 3
SUPPORT SYSTEMS IN AGRICULTURE
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SUPPORT SYSTEMS IN AGRICULTURE
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Subject: Agricultural Science
Class: SHS 3
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 16
Grade code: 3.3.1.LI.2
Strand code: 3
Sub-strand code: 2
Content standard code: 3.3.1.CS.1
Indicator code: 3.3.1.LI.2
Theme: MOBILI SATION OF RESOURCES AND NETWORKS
Subtheme: SUPPORT SYSTEMS IN AGRICULTURE
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Welcome, future leaders of Ghana's agriculture! Today, we are exploring a topic that is the backbone of our agricultural success: Support Systems. No farmer, trader, or processor works alone. Imagine a plantain farmer in the Ahafo region. For her to succeed, she needs more than just land and cutlasses. She needs good planting materials, advice on controlling diseases, a loan to buy fertilizer, a good road to transport her produce, and a market woman at Madina Market ready to buy. The network of people and organisations that provide these things is what we call a support system.
This section breaks down the essential knowledge for this topic. A. What are Agricultural Support Systems?
An agricultural support system is the network of organisations, institutions, services, and policies that help key actors in the agricultural value chain to operate efficiently and profitably. They provide the "helping hand" that makes agriculture a viable livelihood and business. B. Key Actors in the Agricultural Value Chain
To understand the services, we must first know who receives them. The main actors are: Farmers (Producers): The individuals or groups who cultivate crops, raise livestock, or manage fisheries. *Example: A cocoa farmer in Sefwi Wiawso, a poultry farmer in Dormaa, or a tilapia farmer at the Volta Lake.* Traders (Aggregators/Marketers): The middlemen and women who buy produce from farmers, transport it, and sell it to processors or consumers. *Example: The market queen at Makola Market who buys yam in bulk from the Northern Region.* Processors (Value-Addition Actors): Businesses that transform raw agricultural produce into finished or semi-finished goods. This adds value, increases shelf life, and creates new products. *Example: Blue Skies company processing pineapples into fruit juice, or a local woman processing cassava into gari.* C. Categories and Examples of Support Organisations in Ghana
We can group these organisations into categories to understand them better. Government / Public Organisations These are funded and run by the Government of Ghana. Their primary mandate is to develop and regulate the agricultural sector. Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA): The main government body. Services: Policy Formulation: Designs national policies like "Planting for Food and Jobs" and "Rearing for Food and Jobs". Extension Services: Employs Agricultural Extension Agents (AEAs) who visit farmers to provide technical advice on best farming practices, pest control, etc. Input Subsidies: Manages programs that provide farmers with subsidized fertilizers and improved seeds. Disease Surveillance: Monitors and controls the outbreak of animal and plant diseases (e.g., Avian Influenza, Fall Armyworm). Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD): A specialised agency for the cocoa industry. Services: Price Setting: Determines the producer price for cocoa beans to ensure fair payment to farmers. Input Supply: Provides cocoa farmers with subsidized fertilizers, pesticides (e.g., Akate Master), and hybrid seedlings. Quality Control: Its subsidiary, the Quality Control Company (QCC), inspects and grades all cocoa beans before export to maintain Ghana's reputation. Research: Through its research institute, CRIG (Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana), it develops new, high-yielding, disease-resistant cocoa varieties. Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR): The nation's foremost research institution. It has several agricultural institutes. Institutes & Services: Crops Research Institute (CRI - Kumasi): Develops improved varieties of crops like maize ("Obaatampa"), cassava, and cowpea. Soil Research Institute (SRI - Kumasi): Conducts research on soil fertility and management to advise farmers. Animal Research Institute (ARI - Accra): Researches livestock and poultry breeds and feed formulation. Financial Institutions These organisations provide the money (capital) needed for agricultural activities. Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) PLC: Ghana's premier bank for agriculture. Services: Credit/Loans: Provides tailored loans to farmers and agribusinesses for purchasing inputs, machinery, and for expansion. Asset Financing: Helps farmers acquire tractors and other farm machinery on credit. Advisory Services: Offers financial advice to agricultural entrepreneurs. Rural and Community Banks: Banks located in rural areas that are often the first point of call for smallholder farmers. Services: Provide small-scale loans (micro-credit) and savings services accessible to rural farmers. Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) & International Bodies These are non-profit organisations, often funded from abroad, that work to improve agriculture and livelihoods. Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA): An African-led organisation. Services: Seed Systems: Works with local seed companies to produce and distribute high-quality, improved seeds to farmers. Farmer Training: Funds programs to train farmers in modern agricultural techniques and business management. Market Access: Helps link farmer groups to large buyers (processors, exporters). United States Agency for International Development (USAID): A development agency of the U.S. government. Services: Funds numerous agricultural projects in Ghana, focusing on value chains like maize, soy, and rice in the northern regions. They support farmers with training, inputs, and access to finance. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO): A specialised agency of the United Nations. Services: Provides technical expertise to MoFA, helps in policy development, and provides early warnings on food security threats like droughts or pest outbreaks. Farmer-Based Organisations (FBOs) & Cooperatives These are organisations formed by farmers themselves to pool resources and increase their bargaining power. Kuapa Kokoo Farmers' Union: A prominent cocoa farmers' cooperative. Services: Collective Marketing: Buys cocoa from its members and sells in bulk, ensuring fair weight and payment. Input Access: Procures inputs like cutlasses and wellington boots for its members at affordable prices. Social Amenities: Uses its Fairtrade premium to build schools, clinics, and boreholes in members' communities. Ghana National Association of Farmers and Fishermen (GNAFF): An umbrella body representing farmers' interests. Services: Advocacy: Lobbies the government on behalf of farmers for better prices, policies, and support. Private Sector / Agribusinesses These are for-profit companies that provide essential goods and services. Input Dealers: Shops that sell seeds, fertilizers, agrochemicals, and tools. *Example: Agrimat, Wienco, etc.* Processing Companies: Large companies that buy raw materials from farmers. *Example: Nestle Ghana (buys cocoa), Olam (buys cashews), FanMilk (buys milk).* They provide a ready market for farmers.