GHANA – The Italian agricultural powerhouse Bonifiche Ferraresi (BF) has officially commenced a EUR 90 million (US$98.5 million) agricultural project in Ghana, marking a significant milestone in the country’s agricultural development.
The project, initiated under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, is set to play a pivotal role in boosting domestic food production and the animal feed industry in the region.
Located in Aveyime-Battor, within the North Tongu district of the Volta region, the project spans an initial 5,000 hectares dedicated to cultivating various crops, including rice, maize, soy, wheat, tomatoes, and bananas.
These crops are essential for human consumption and key ingredients in animal feed production, mainly maize and soy, which are fundamental components of poultry and livestock diets.
The long-term vision for the project includes expanding the cultivated area to 25,000 hectares. This expansion aims to meet Ghana’s domestic food demands while processing surplus produce for export.
Increasing maize and soy production could significantly reduce Ghana’s reliance on imported feed ingredients, thereby supporting the local feed industry and enhancing food security.
During the inauguration ceremony, BF Ghana Chairperson Georges Mikhael, Italian Ambassador Daniela Orlandi, Ghanaian Deputy Minister of Food & Agriculture Frimpong Addo, and the traditional chief of the Battor area were in attendance.
Ambassador Orlandi emphasized the project’s importance in fostering local value addition and food security, aligning with Italy’s broader strategy to strengthen agricultural ties with Africa under the Mattei Plan.
This plan, outlined during the Italy-Africa Leaders Summit in January 2024, underscores sustainable development and economic cooperation.
BF’s technological advancements and expertise in large-scale agriculture further highlight the project’s relevance to the feed industry.
Introducing modern farming practices and equipment is expected to boost crop yields and efficiency, making it a model for sustainable agricultural development in Ghana and beyond.
This initiative by BF follows a similar venture in Algeria, where the company is investing EUR 420 million (USD 455 million) to develop 36,000 hectares, primarily for wheat cultivation.
Such investments reflect BF’s commitment to enhancing agricultural productivity across Africa, with significant implications for the feed industry, particularly regarding the increased availability of high-quality feed ingredients.
Ghanaian Deputy Minister of Food & Agriculture Frimpong Addo expressed optimism about the project’s potential impact on local agriculture.
He noted that the advanced technology and expertise brought by BF would not only boost agricultural productivity but also create jobs and improve the livelihoods of local farmers.
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