What is MADE?

Farmers require inputs and services of the right quality

From underdevelopment to pro-poor development

Northern Ghana epitomises the problem of underdeveloped regions in otherwise fast-moving national economies. Large-scale direct investment systems have not sustained the North, and the rate of development has fallen far behind the pace of Central and Southern Ghana. Private sector capacity has long remained limited in the agricultural sector, with spot-purchase aggregators dominating, limited availability of agro-chemicals and improved seeds, and almost no formal credit.

However, the North has similar advantages to the rest of Ghana in a number of agricultural commodities, and agricultural markets are where the vast majority of low-income households in the North earn their livelihoods.

The growing demand for food and agricultural commodities, therefore, represents a major opportunity for pro-poor market development.

Building capacity, reinforcing rights

Working with businesses and regulators, MADE has helped to build the market systems and private sector capacity that Northern Ghana has long lacked. To achieve this, MADE has intervened to stimulate substantial and transformative change in key market sectors using a market systems approach and with an emphasis on building supply capacity.

Along the way, it has addressed cross-cutting issues like women’s economic empowerment, irrigation, entrepreneurship and access to finance. It has facilitated pro-poor outcomes, particularly in markets where large numbers of women are able to earn incomes. And it has built the business case for delivering on the seven rights that all farmers need in order to move from subsistence to commercial farming.