When we think of farming we think of age-old family businesses occupying vast spaces, but even passed-down traditions and farming methods can’t escape from global warming, a recovering economy or the power of Mother Nature. Small farms are usually hit the hardest, which contributes to hunger and poverty across Africa.
Standard Bank Group, in partnership with other organisations, has started the Agricultural Guarantee Fund Scheme.
What is the Agricultural Guarantee Fund Scheme?
This fund is available to small farmers and small-medium-sized enterprises in Ghana, Mozambique, Tanzania and Uganda. This scheme has been initiated to transform small-scale farmers into medium-sized enterprises and address the issue of food security and stimulate economic growth on the African continent. It will give small farms access to much needed financing and loans.
Standard Bank Group is also partnering with value chain players, financial institutions, development agencies and donor agencies to bring the African Green Revolution Forum to Ghana.
All about the African Green Revolution Forum
The African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) focuses on promoting investments and policy support for driving agricultural productivity and income growth for African farmers in an environmentally sustainable way. This forum will see African heads of state, ministers, farmers, private agribusiness firms, financial institutions, non-governmental organisations, civil society and scientists discussing and developing concrete investment plans to achieve the green revolution in Africa.
The forum is being chaired by former head of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, from 2-4 September in Accra, Ghana.
Co-sponsors include the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), Standard Bank Group and Yara International ASA.
To learn more,visit
http://www.standardbank.com/Article.aspx?id=-14&srchttp://www.standardbank.com/Article.aspx?id=-15&src