Farmer Training Centre

Project Code: GHPT-1200029 | Project Location: Ghana

Key Statistics

The Farmer Training Centre (FTC) seeks to address food security needs and livelihood sustainability across northern Ghana. The Centre provides a space for training farmers, students, businesspeople, and local institutions. This project sought to improve the infrastructure of the hospitality and agriculture sectors through renovating facilities and stocking various livestock.

farmers visited the farm to build on their skills and added to their stock.
585
of Ghana's GDP comes from agriculture.
19%
of the population of Ghana are employed in the agriculture sector.
28%

“We organized a learning visit to the farm for 280 farmers from 10 rural communities. They were taken through the activities of the various animals’ production units in the farm. 305 other farmers and potential farmers also visited the farm for learning purposes in the year before the COVID-19 outbreak.”

Patience Akankpanab

Renovation updates

A range of renovations have occurred over the course of three years. The fence wall around the perimeter of the FTC has improved security of the premises and is protecting livestock well. The farm now has two pig sties with a total of 158 pigs in stock. Additionally, two pens have been built with the capacity to house 2000 birds. The pen housing 30 sheep and 45 goats is still in need of renovation.

Animal welfare

Routine animal health checks and maintenance of livestock housing has greatly improved production. The farm acquired and administered medication to ensure healthy stock. Regular and timely veterinary services are being regularly provided to stock.

Animals in stock

Currently the farm is stocked with 158 pigs, 2,000 birds (chickens & guinea fowls), 30 sheep, and 45 goats.

Produce sales

Despite the challenges posed to the two sectors by the COVID-19 pandemic and its attendant nationwide lockdown, both sectors were able to raise revenue for the operations of FTC. The total revenue generated in 2020 was $15,895.94.

Animal feed shortage

Most grinding mills were temporarily shut down due to COVID-19. Feed items include maize, waste flour, wheat bran, oyster shells and pre-formulated feeds. During the 3 months period of lockdown the farm could only mobilize 45% and 70% the monthly feed requirement for pigs and poultry respectively, greatly reducing the farms production. Even with these restrictions, the farm mobilized and formulated 14,283 kilograms of pig feed and 22,200 kilograms of poultry feed over the course of 12 months.

Hospitality sector

The FTC’s hospitality sector served a total of 2,456 clients throughout the year with patronage reduced to 20% during lockdown causing major reductions in revenue generation.

A generator was installed which now ensures a reliable supply of electricity to the facilities. Newly purchased tools and equipment combined with improved staff capacity has led to a great improvement in the services provided to clients and ultimately greater client satisfaction.

Where to from here?

This project has been a great success with the Centre now self sufficient and running at a profit. Additionally, the newly upgraded accommodation has led to various NGO’s using the facilities for their own training purposes. As this project period draws to a close, Catholic Mission is excited continue our relationship with the FTC as they continue to grow in the future.