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: 2nd Term
Week: 19
Grade code: 2.3.2.LI.2
Strand code: 3
Sub-strand code: 2
Content standard code: 2.3.2.CS.1
Indicator code: 2.3.2.LI.2
Theme: MOBILI SATION OF RESOURCES AND NETWORKS
Subtheme: SUPPORT SYSTEMS IN AGRICULTURE
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Agriculture is the backbone of Ghana's economy. However, a single farmer, a market woman, or a small-scale gari processor cannot succeed alone. They are part of a larger network of support. Imagine a farmer trying to get a loan, fight a new crop disease, or sell their produce in Europe. They need help! This lesson introduces the "unseen hands" that support our agricultural sector – the organisations and institutions that provide money, knowledge, regulations, and resources. Understanding these support systems is crucial for anyone who wants to succeed in agriculture or simply understand how our food gets from the farm to our table.
A. What is a Support System in Agriculture?
A support system in agriculture refers to the network of organisations, institutions, policies, and services that help key actors (farmers, processors, traders, etc.) in the agricultural value chain to operate more effectively, efficiently, and profitably.
Think of it like a football team. The players on the field are the farmers. But they need a coach (technical advice), a doctor (finance/credit), and rules of the game (regulations) to win. The support systems are the coach, the doctor, and the rule-makers for agriculture. B. Categories of Agricultural Support Organisations in Ghana
We can group these organisations into several categories based on their primary function and ownership. Governmental / Public Organisations These are agencies established and funded by the Government of Ghana to implement policies and provide direct support. Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA): This is the main government body for agriculture. Services: Policy Formulation: Creates the national strategy for agriculture. Agricultural Extension Services: Employs Agricultural Extension Agents (AEAs) who visit farmers in their communities to teach them modern farming techniques, introduce new seeds, and help solve farm problems. Programme Implementation: Manages programmes like "Planting for Food and Jobs" (PFJ), providing subsidised fertilizers and improved seeds to farmers. Example: A maize farmer in the Ejura-Sekyedumase district who wants to learn about fall armyworm control would contact the local MoFA office to speak with an AEA. Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD): A specialised agency that regulates the cocoa industry. Services: Price Regulation: Sets the producer price for cocoa to ensure farmers get a fair wage. Input Supply: Provides subsidised high-yielding, disease-resistant cocoa seedlings and fertilizers. Disease & Pest Control: Conducts mass spraying exercises (e.g., for capsid bugs) and helps farmers manage diseases like swollen shoot. Quality Control: Ensures that only high-quality cocoa beans are exported, protecting Ghana's reputation. Example: A cocoa farmer in Sefwi Wiawso whose farm is infested with capsids benefits from COCOBOD's free mass spraying exercise. Ghana Standards Authority (GSA): Services: Setting Standards: Establishes the quality and safety standards for agricultural produce and processed foods (e.g., how much moisture content is acceptable in maize). Certification: Certifies products that meet these standards, allowing them to be sold in high-end supermarkets or exported. Example: A small company processing pineapple juice for export must get its product certified by the GSA to prove it is safe and of high quality. Research and Academic Institutions These institutions generate the knowledge and technology needed for modern agriculture. Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR): The leading research body in Ghana. It has several institutes focused on agriculture. Key Institutes: Crops Research Institute (CRI): Develops new and improved varieties of crops like maize, cassava, and yam (e.g., "CRI-Abontem" maize variety). Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (SARI): Focuses on crops and farming systems suitable for the northern savanna zones (e.g., drought-resistant sorghum). Food Research Institute (FRI): Develops new food processing techniques and ways to reduce post-harvest losses. Example: When farmers plant a new cassava variety that gives a higher yield and is resistant to the mosaic disease, it was likely developed by scientists at CSIR-CRI. Universities: Institutions like Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), University of Ghana (UG), and University for Development Studies (UDS). Services: Training: Educate agricultural scientists, economists, engineers, and extension agents. Research: Conduct advanced research to solve complex agricultural problems. Financial Institutions These organisations provide the money (capital/credit) that farmers and agribusinesses need to operate and grow. Agricultural Development Bank (ADB): Services: Specifically created to provide loans and financial services tailored to the needs of farmers and agribusinesses. Loans can be for buying tractors, seeds, or setting up a processing facility. Rural and Community Banks: Services: Located in rural areas, they are more accessible to smallholder farmers. They provide savings accounts and small loans (micro-credit) that large commercial banks might not offer. Example: A fish processor (Kenkey seller) in a small town can get a small loan from the local rural bank to buy a bigger oven and more fish. Private Sector & Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) Private Input Dealers: Examples: Wienco, Yara Ghana, Agro-Ecom. Services: They sell essential inputs like seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and farm machinery. They often provide technical advice on how to use their products. Farmer-Based Organisations (FBOs) / Cooperatives: Services: These are groups of farmers who come together to achieve common goals. They can buy inputs in bulk at a lower price, share machinery, and have a stronger voice when negotiating prices for their produce. Example: A mango farmers' cooperative in the Bono Region can collectively bargain with a fruit juice company for a better price than if each farmer sold their produce individually. International Organisations and NGOs: Examples: Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the UN, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), World Food Programme (WFP). Services: They often fund projects, provide technical expertise, and support government initiatives to improve food security, introduce climate-smart agriculture, and support vulnerable farming communities.