Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) PLC has launched its Green-Grow Vegetable Farmers Lending Scheme aimed at expanding access to structured agricultural financing and boosting local vegetable production.
The initiative reinforces ADB’s commitment to agricultural transformation, financial inclusion, and sustainable agribusiness development, while positioning the Bank as a strategic financing partner in efforts to strengthen Ghana’s domestic food production capacity.
The first phase witnessed the selection and disbursement of allocated funds to eligible smallholder vegetable farmers operating under irrigation in the Greater Accra and Volta Regions, with plans to expand to other areas.
The scheme is designed to address one of the major challenges confronting smallholder farmers: limited access to affordable and timely financing to acquire essential farm inputs, improve productivity, and maximise returns.
ADB’s Commitment to Agricultural Transformation
Commenting on the initiative, the Managing Director of ADB PLC, Edward Ato Sarpong, emphasised the Bank’s commitment to supporting productive sectors of the economy, particularly agriculture.
“Ghana’s agricultural transformation must be driven by deliberate investments that empower farmers to produce more, earn more, and contribute meaningfully to national development.
“Through the Green-Grow initiative, ADB is expanding its agricultural financing mandate. We believe that when farmers succeed, communities prosper, businesses grow, and the national economy becomes stronger.”
Managing Director of ADB PLC, Edward Ato Sarpong
The ADB MD noted that the initiative reflects the Bank’s determination to move beyond traditional banking by developing innovative, and commercially sustainable financing solutions that respond directly to the needs of agricultural producers.
He further underscored the importance of strengthening domestic food production and building a more resilient agricultural sector capable of responding to changing market demands.
Driving Financial Inclusion and Sustainable Growth
The Deputy Managing Director of ADB PLC in charge of Services (DMD Services), Prof. Ferdinand Makafui Ahiakpor, described the scheme as a strategic intervention aimed at bridging the financing gap within Ghana’s agricultural value chain.
“Access to appropriate financing remains a critical factor in unlocking the full potential of Ghana’s agricultural sector. Green-Grow represents a practical approach to making agricultural credit more accessible, structured and responsive to the realities of smallholder vegetable farmers.
“Our objective is to support viable agricultural enterprises, improve productivity and create sustainable economic opportunities across farming communities”.
Managing Director of ADB PLC, Edward Ato Sarpong
Prof. Ahiakpor explained that the scheme’s structured lending approach would help align financing with farmers’ production activities while promoting sound credit management and long-term financial sustainability.
According to him, strengthening agricultural financing requires a balanced approach that supports farmers’ growth while maintaining responsible lending standards.
Supporting Farmers, Strengthening Local Production
The General Manager in charge of Agribusiness at ADB PLC, Mr. Kwame Asiedu Attrams, explained that the initiative followed preliminary field engagements with vegetable farmers across selected communities in the Greater Accra, Eastern and Volta Regions.
The engagements identified promising financing opportunities among irrigated vegetable producers, particularly farmers with established production experience, market linkages and strong repayment potential.
“Our engagements with farmers revealed enormous production potential that is being constrained by inadequate access to financing and the high cost of credit. Green-Grow has been carefully designed to address these challenges by providing structured credit support to eligible farmers.
“By connecting financing to viable production activities, we aim to help farmers improve yields, expand their operations and take advantage of emerging market opportunities”.
General Manager in charge of Agribusiness at ADB PLC, Mr. Kwame Asiedu Attrams
Mr. Attrams indicated that the pilot would initially concentrate on vegetable production, taking into consideration prevailing seasonal conditions and market demand. Eligibility under the scheme will be guided by factors including access to irrigation, farming experience, group cohesion, and satisfactory credit history.
Growing Ghana’s Agricultural Future
The introduction of the Green-Grow Vegetable Farmers Lending Scheme marks another step in ADB’s efforts to strengthen agricultural value chains and support the development of commercially viable farming enterprises.
The initiative is expected to support increased local production, strengthen farmers’ economic opportunities and contribute to Ghana’s broader agricultural development objectives. The Bank is investing not only in farms, but also in the people, businesses, and communities that will shape Ghana’s agricultural future.
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