Agriculture continues to be the mainstay of several economies in Africa, significantly contributing to Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Various fruits, vegetables, cash crops and animals are traded in either for subsistence or commercial use.
Flora could be grown and packaged in their fresh state either for domestic sale or export.
Fauna can also be reared, processed and packaged for the same objective.
Additional services such as door – to – door delivery of such produce could set the stage for a great business prospect.

A report by The Business and Financial Times shows that even though the agricultural sector spending as a percentage of total government expenditure in 2023 increased marginally to 1.95% above the previous year’s figure of 1.86%, the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) expressed concern that the allocation is still far below the expected 10% commitment made under the Malabo declaration.

Ghana is a signatory to the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme of 2003 (Malabo Declaration), in which member-countries were expected to increase agricultural investment to 10% of annual budgets to culminate into, at least, 6% growth in the sector annually.
Meanwhile, Ghana, in June 2022, signed a $24.98 million credit facility on behalf of the Government of Ghana with the Indian Government for the construction of assembling plant to boost the agriculture sector.

The credit facility would be used for building the structure for the assembling plant, supply of knockdowns and fabrication of agriculture implements including tractors, backhoe loaders, power tillers, power reapers, power pumps, and paddy threshers.
The project is designed to support smallholder marginal farmers to boost agricultural productivity, diversify the manufacturing base of the country and create jobs for Ghanaians.

In all, about 4,500 tractors, 600 backhoe loaders, 6,000-disc harrow and ploughs, 3,000 power tillers are expected to be assembled in the Ghana annually, and the products also exported to neighbouring African countries.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), about 52 % of the labour force is engaged in agriculture, 29 % in services and 19 % in industry.
Approximately, 39 % of farm labour force is women. Agriculture contributes to 54 % of Ghana’s GDP, and accounts for over 40 % of export earnings, while at the same time providing over 90 % of the food needs of the country.
The report goes on to indicate that Ghana’s farming systems vary with agro-ecological zones.
However, certain general features are discernible throughout the country.
The bush fallow system prevails wherever there is ample land to permit a plot to be rested enough to recoup its fertility, after one to three years’ cultivation.
Staple crops are often mixed-cropped while cash crops are usually monocropped.

Meanwhile, the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) PLC reportedly gave loans to the tune of GHc1 billion to Ghana’s agriculture sector in the year 2022.
The amount excluded the huge volumes of non-funded facilities such as letters of credits and guarantees granted for the purchase of agricultural inputs, machinery, equipment and raw materials.
ADB has been an active partner for the implementation of the novel One District One Factory (1D1F) and so far about 20 companies had received financial support of over GH¢100 million.
With such facts and resources at one's disposal, it becomes imperative to develop a business model that would prove resilient in the face of challenges and as such take advantage of the benefits in the argiculture industry.
Profits from small-scale farming could be turned over, and in due time, the small backyard garden you started could become a source of livelihood for you and your family.
All it takes it that first, bold step.

Sources:
https://thebftonline.com/2022/12/01/agric-spending-only-1-9-of-govt-budget-a-far-cry-from-the-10-malabo-pledge/

https://mofep.gov.gh/news-and-events/2022-06-27/ghana-signs-usd24.98m-credit-facility-for-agriculture-implement-assembling-plants

https://www.fao.org/ghana/fao-in-ghana/ghana-at-a-glance/en/