Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 1
SUPPORT SYSTEMS IN AGRICULTURE
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SUPPORT SYSTEMS IN AGRICULTURE
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Subject: Agricultural Science
Class: SHS 1
Term: 1st Term
Week: 17
Grade code: 1.3.2.LI.2
Strand code: 3
Sub-strand code: 2
Content standard code: 1.3.2.CS.1
Indicator code: 1.3.2.LI.2
Theme: MOBILISATION OF RESOURCES AND NETWORKS
Subtheme: SUPPORT SYSTEMS IN AGRICULTURE
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In Ghana, a single farmer, food processor, or trader cannot succeed alone. They are part of a large network of organisations and services that help them at every stage, from planting a seed to selling the final product in the market. These organisations are called "Support Systems." Understanding these systems is crucial because they are the backbone of our nation's agriculture. They provide the money, knowledge, technology, and rules that make it possible for us to achieve food security and for agriculture to be a profitable business. This lesson will introduce you to the key players in this network and the vital roles they play in supporting our agricultural sector.
A. What is a Support System in Agriculture?
A Support System in Agriculture refers to the network of all institutions, organisations, and services (both governmental and non-governmental) that provide assistance to the key actors in the agricultural value chain. These key actors are: Farmers/Producers: Those who cultivate crops, raise animals, or catch fish. Traders/Marketers: Those who buy, transport, and sell raw or processed agricultural goods. Processors: Those who transform raw agricultural products into other forms (e.g., turning cassava into gari, cocoa beans into chocolate, or mangoes into juice).
These systems provide support in various forms, which can be broadly classified. B. Classification of Support Systems by Function
This is the most common way to understand these organisations. We group them based on the *type of help* they provide. Financial Support Services These organisations provide the money (capital) needed for agricultural activities. Services: Offering loans (credit), grants, savings accounts, and crop insurance. Key Actors Served: Farmers (for buying inputs, machinery), Traders (for purchasing produce), Processors (for setting up factories). Ghanaian Examples: Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) PLC: A bank specifically established to provide financial services to the agricultural sector. It gives loans to farmers for seeds, fertilizer, and tractors. Rural and Community Banks: These banks are located in rural areas and provide micro-credit (small loans) to small-scale farmers who may not be able to get loans from larger commercial banks. Ghana Export-Import Bank (GEXIM): Provides financing for businesses that process agricultural goods for export, like pineapple or cashew processors. Research and Technology Development Services These organisations conduct scientific research to create new technologies and improve farming methods. Services: Developing new high-yielding or disease-resistant crop varieties, creating better pest control methods, designing efficient farm tools. Key Actors Served: Primarily farmers, but also processors who need better quality raw materials. Ghanaian Examples: Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR): This is the main government research body. It has many institutes, including: Crops Research Institute (CRI) in Kumasi: Develops improved varieties of crops like maize, cassava (e.g., 'Tek Bankye'), and yam. Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (SARI) in Nyankpala, Tamale: Focuses on crops suitable for the northern savanna regions, like sorghum, millet, and soybean. Soil Research Institute (SRI) in Kumasi: Studies soil fertility and recommends appropriate fertilizer use. Universities: The agriculture faculties at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and the University of Ghana (UG) also conduct significant research. Extension and Advisory Services These are the "teachers" of the agricultural sector. They bridge the gap between researchers and farmers by transferring new knowledge and technologies to the farmers. Services: Training farmers on best practices, demonstrating new techniques, providing advice on pest and disease outbreaks, organising farmer groups. Key Actors Served: Farmers are the primary beneficiaries. Ghanaian Examples: Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA): The most important provider. MoFA has Agricultural Extension Agents (AEAs) in every district in Ghana. These AEAs visit farmers on their farms to provide direct, hands-on support and advice. They are the link between government policy/research and the farmer on the ground. Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD): Provides specialised extension services specifically for cocoa farmers, advising on pruning, disease control (like black pod), and proper fermentation of beans. Marketing and Storage Services These organisations help actors in the value chain to sell their products at fair prices and reduce post-harvest losses. Services: Providing market price information, linking farmers to buyers, operating warehouses for storage, grading and standardising produce. Key Actors Served: Farmers, Traders, and Processors. Ghanaian Examples: National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO): The government sets up NAFCO to buy excess produce (like maize and rice) from farmers during the peak harvest season when prices are low. It stores this food and releases it during the lean season, which helps to stabilise prices for both farmers and consumers. It is a key part of the "Planting for Food and Jobs" programme. Ghana Commodity Exchange (GCX): An organised marketplace where buyers and sellers can trade agricultural commodities (like maize, sorghum, sesame) in a structured and transparent way, ensuring fair prices. Input Supply Services These organisations provide the essential physical items needed to start and maintain an agricultural venture. Services: Selling certified seeds, fertilizers, agrochemicals (pesticides, herbicides), and providing machinery services (e.g., tractor ploughing). Key Actors Served: Mainly Farmers. Ghanaian Examples: Private Agro-Input Dealers: These are private shops found in almost every district capital (e.g., Yara Ghana distributors, Agriseed Ghana). They are the primary source of inputs for most farmers. Government Subsidy Programmes: Through MoFA, the government sometimes subsidises the cost of fertilizers and seeds to make them more affordable for smallholder farmers under programmes like "Planting for Food and Jobs." Policy and Regulatory Services These are government bodies that set the rules, regulations, and standards for the agricultural sector to ensure safety, quality, and fairness. Services: Formulating agricultural policy, setting quality standards for food, inspecting food processing facilities, and regulating the use of chemicals. Key Actors Served: All actors are affected by these regulations. Ghanaian Examples: Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA): The main government ministry responsible for creating and implementing national agricultural policies. Food and Drugs Authority (FDA): Regulates the safety and quality of processed foods. A gari processor or fruit juice maker must get FDA approval before they can sell their products in shops. Ghana Standards Authority (GSA): Sets the national standards for products, including agricultural goods, ensuring they meet specific quality criteria for local and international markets.