ADB launches Green-Grow scheme to empower smallholder vegetable farmers

Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) PLC has launched its Green-Grow Vegetable Farmers Lending Scheme to expand access to structured agricultural financing and boost 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 selected and disbursed 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 aims to address one of the major challenges facing smallholder farmers: limited access to affordable, timely financing to acquire essential farm inputs, improve productivity, and maximise returns.

ADB’s Commitment to Agricultural Transformation Commenting on the initiative, ADB PLC Managing Director 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,” Edward Ato Sarpong said. The ADB MD noted that the initiative reflects the Bank’s determination to move beyond traditional banking by developing innovative, commercially sustainable financing solutions that directly address 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 to bridge the financing gap in 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,” the DMD Services said.

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. He said strengthening agricultural financing requires a balanced approach that supports farmers’ growth while maintaining responsible lending standards.

Supporting Farmers, Strengthening Local Production The General Manager for 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,” Mr Attrams said. “By connecting financing to viable production activities, we aim to help farmers improve yields, expand their operations and take advantage of emerging market opportunities,” he added.

Mr Attrams said the pilot would initially focus on vegetable production, taking into account seasonal conditions and market demand. The scheme’s eligibility criteria will be guided by factors including access to irrigation, farming experience, group cohesion, and a satisfactory credit history. Growing Ghana’s Agricultural Future 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 increase 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.