President John Dramani Mahama has unveiled plans to establish 11 new Farmer Service Centres across the country, aiming to modernise agriculture, enhance mechanisation, and boost Ghana’s agribusiness sector as part of his broader 24-hour economy agenda.
Announced at the National Agribusiness Dialogue, the initiative is part of the government’s “Big Push” industrial policy and seeks to support smallholder farmers with improved access to mechanised services, without the high cost of owning equipment.
“The Finance Minister has approved funding for the first 11 out of 50 planned Farmer Service Centres, which will be rolled out in key farming zones,” President Mahama said. The centres will serve as hubs for tractors and other farm equipment, to be made available on demand to registered farmers within each catchment area.
Making Mechanisation Accessible
According to the president, the approach marks a shift from asset ownership to service access: “What our farmers need is not to own tractors, but to access reliable and affordable mechanised services during the farming season.”
“Each centre will be staffed by qualified operators and technical agencies responsible for maintenance, ensuring that equipment remains in working condition and that services are delivered efficiently.”
This model is expected to reduce the financial burden on smallholder farmers and improve productivity through timely land preparation, planting, and harvesting.
Supporting Local Industry Through Procurement
Beyond mechanisation, President Mahama announced a complementary initiative to promote Made-in-Ghana goods through government procurement.
The 24-hour economy secretariat, he revealed, is finalising a comprehensive list of Ghana-made products, including agro-processed items, which will be prioritised in public sector purchases.
“The government is the biggest buyer in the economy. We will leverage this to support local industries and create more jobs by prioritising Ghanaian goods in our procurement processes,” Mahama noted.
Resetting Agribusiness for Inclusive Growth
The 2025 National Agribusiness Dialogue, themed “Resetting Agribusiness for Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Growth,” brought together policymakers, farmers, and private sector actors to deliberate on ways to build a resilient, inclusive, and export-driven agricultural economy.
President Mahama emphasised that the mechanisation push and local procurement reforms are aligned with Ghana’s long-term goals of industrial transformation, rural job creation, and economic sustainability.
“Agribusiness is a cornerstone of our 24-hour economy vision. These investments in infrastructure, technology, and market access are essential to unlocking its full potential,” he said.
With the first 11 centres slated for rollout under the approved funding, stakeholders expect the full network of 50 Farmer Service Centres to significantly impact agricultural productivity and improve incomes in rural communities.
