USAID Agriculture Technology Transfer (ATT) Project

USAID Agriculture Technology Transfer (ATT) Project

Background

The Feed the Future USAID Ghana Agriculture Technology Transfer (ATT) Project is a five-year activity funded by the United States Agency for International Development's Ghana Mission (USAID/Ghana).

ATT is improving Ghana's agricultural research and extension systems by creating private sector-led agricultural technology transfer mechanisms, linking research-extension systems and producers in a market-driven approach to seed value chain development and access to critical production inputs, including affordable finance, labor-saving technologies, and dissemination of Good Agriculture Practices (GAPs).

Project Summary and Goals

The goal of ATT is to increase productivity of smallholder rice, maize, and soybean producers in northern Ghana through their use of advanced agricultural technologies and agronomic practices such as integrated soil fertility management (ISFM).

The expected outcomes of farmer adoption of these practices are; Increased the competitiveness of local rice, maize, and soybean value chains; broad-based and sustained economic growth, and greater household food security through higher income and food availability.

Project Duration

April 2013 - December 2018

Project Components

  • Promotion, upscaling, and accessibility of high quality seeds Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM)
  • Climate Smart Agriculture Practices
  • Rainwater harvesting to enable Double Cropping/Dual Income farming
  • Capacity-Building for agricultural research centers
  • Information Communication Technology (ICT) for technology extension

Implementing Partners

International Fertilizer Development  Center (IFDC); and - The Center for Development Innovation of Wageningen University (WUR-CDI); The Ghana Agricultural Associations and Business Information Center (GAABIC); and Iowa State University (ISU)

Geographical Coverage

ATT focuses on the Ghana Feed the Future (FTF) Intervention Zone, which covers the three regions of Ghana: Northern, Upper West, and Upper East, plus the northern parts of Brong Ahafo and Volta Regions.

Funding

 USD 24,000,000

Achievements and Outcomes

  • Built and equipped three new state• of the art seed laboratories for Ghana Seed Inspection Unit (GSIU) in the ZOI;
  • Trained GSIU seed laboratory staff in the use and management of seed processing equipment and database software for data recording, analysis and sharing with the National Seed Laboratory;
  • Rehabilitation of Wambong Dam and irrigation system development of IO hectares to shorten the release process for new crop varieties by Northern region's Savannah Agriculture Research Institute (SARI);
  • Modern seed processors equipment granted to five seed production companies to enhance quality seed availability for farmers in the three regions of the ZOI;
  • U.S. $789,000 in incremental sales of targeted commodities by ATT supported private sector actors;
  • 4.485MT of certified seed brought to market in FYI7 through up­ scaled production of improved seed varieties;
  • U. S $ 4.190 million in new private sector investment in the Ghanaian seed sector leverage through ATT grant support and its seed loan program;
  • 22 seed marketers supported with seed vans enabled them to supply 460MT of certified seeds to smallholder farmers in hard-to­ reach communities;
  • Partnered with USAID/Ghana FtF FinGAP project to secure GHc9.8 million;
  • 93,938 hectares of farmland now under improved technologies;
  • 165,250 farmers have begun applying improved technologies and GAP management practices;
  • 30,756 women have been trained in GAPs and ISFM;
  • 119,350 farmers have received information and/or instruction on new agriculture technologies and GAPs through video screening using Digital Classroom technology;
  • 98.5% increase in maize yields for ATT beneficiary farmers as compared with baseline cohort value;
  • 85.5% increase in rice yields for ATT beneficiary farmers as compared with baseline cohort value; and
  • 96.5% increase in soybean yields for ATT beneficiary farmers as compared with baseline cohort value.

Key Staff Contact

Grace Sebugah
Program Management Specialist Agriculture,  
USAID/Ghana      
gsebugah@usaid.gov 

Dr. Gary R. Mullins
Chief of Party,
ATT Project
gmullins@ifdc.org