The East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer Foundation has extended its farmer training programmes beyond its learning site to reach smallholder vegetable farmers in their communities, with about 30,000 farmers benefiting from its interventions since it began its activities in Ghana in 2023.
The Foundation, an independent non-profit organisation, supports smallholder vegetable farmers through practical training in crop production, business skills and improved farming techniques.
The Foundation’s Country Manager, Jemima Djah, said the initiative equips farmers with practical skills and improved farming techniques to enhance productivity and increase incomes.
Speaking to Univers News at the official opening of the East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer Learning Farm at the University of Ghana Farms, Legon, on 20th October 2026, she explained that the Foundation’s training approach allows farmers to cultivate crops independently after completing the programme.
“By the time we finish the two cycles, the farmers are able to do it for themselves. So our training is not limited to the learning site. We actually take it to the farmer in the community. And so far, 30,000 farmers have benefited and still counting,” she said.
Ms. Djah said the training is structured around two production cycles, covering the rainy and dry seasons, with farmers guided through the process from planting to harvesting to help them apply the techniques independently.
“The farmers grow the crop from start to finish. They are trained to grow the crop from start to finish. As they learn, they are adopting it, they know it for themselves. So after two seasons, we do two cycles, rainy season and dry season,” she said.
According to her, the farming techniques demonstrated at the learning farm are designed to reduce production costs while improving yields, thereby increasing farmers’ earnings.
“The things we demonstrate here are low cost. So if you invest low in your farming, your yield is going to be higher. That’s how you make higher incomes. Because most of the things you see here, you don’t buy them. You save money on small, small things. And before you see, your yield is increased,” she added.
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Story by Charles Dauda Wumbe | univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Vanessa Katrin Ohene
