The African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP), in collaboration with ETG, has inaugurated a Farmer Service Centre Hub in Yagaba in the Northern Region to improve last-mile access to quality agricultural inputs, training, and market opportunities for smallholder farmers.

Dubbed the AFAP-ETG Agri-Input Hub, the facility seeks to address the persistent challenges of affordability and accessibility of farm inputs in rural communities.

It will also provide continuous training on improved farming technologies, post-harvest practices, and market linkages, while creating employment opportunities for young people in the area.

The model builds on AFAP’s Community-Based Advisor (CBA) initiative funded by AGRA, which has engaged more than 1,500 youth across the country in entrepreneurship and extension services. By expanding this framework, the new hub is expected to empower rural youth and strengthen agricultural value chains in northern Ghana.

Speaking at the launch, Adam Karim, representing the District Chief Executive, commended the initiative as a timely response to local challenges.

“Access to quality farm inputs has been a significant challenge for many farmers in our district, leading to low yields, reduced incomes, and increased stress levels. However, today, we embark on a new chapter. This initiative will not only enhance crop yields in the district but also alleviate the stress and hassle associated with accessing inputs,” he said.

The District Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), Zachariah Kwabena, underscored the importance of building stronger rural input systems.

He assured that his office would work closely with the CBA responsible for the hub to ensure its success and sustainability.

AFAP’s Regional Director for West Africa and Country Manager for Ghana, Nana-Aisha Mohammed, described the project as more than just the opening of a shop, calling it a step toward reshaping agricultural access.

“This marks a bold step towards strengthening last-mile access to quality inputs and creating business opportunities for the youth. AFAP is deeply committed to ensuring this hub becomes a model of excellence, and it will be one of many established across the country,” she said.

She also expressed appreciation to AGRA for supporting the CBA model and to ETG for providing much-needed inputs. Nana-Aisha urged other agribusiness stakeholders to join the effort to address barriers facing farmers in underserved communities.

ETG’s Technical Sales Agronomist, Jonas Ayanore, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to the partnership, noting that ETG’s philosophy is rooted in the principle.

“If farmers grow, we grow too.” He added that the collaboration reflects the company’s vision of creating sustainable impact and “spreading 360 degrees of happiness” among farmers.

The event concluded with the handover and official opening of the hub, which stakeholders hailed as a milestone in Ghana’s agricultural transformation. Farmer groups, commercial producers, local leaders, and development partners in attendance pledged their support to ensure the facility becomes a driver of inclusive growth in the region.