The Business Seed Partnership (BSP), a three-year initiative to improve access to quality vegetable seed and strengthen commercial opportunities across Ghana’s seed sector, was officially launched on Thursday, 3rd September, 2026 at the Vegetable Hub of Excellence (Defarmacist Centre) at the University of Ghana, Legon.
The initiative brings together the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), Grow24, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ghana, public-sector and development partners, as well as 15 representatives from the partnership of private seed businesses, knowledge institutions, and fi nancial institutions in Ghana and the Netherlands, all as equal partners.
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Building on the Ghana Seed Partnership (GSP) launched in September 2025, the BSP moves into its next phase, leveraging the partnerships, trust, market understanding, and foundation built over the fi rst year to accelerate commercial action. It will address persistent gaps in access to reliable planting material, locally tested varieties, professionally produced seedlings, market information and investment. The long-term aim is a more competitive, sustainable and resilient vegetable seed sector that delivers value to farmers, businesses and consumers.
H.E. Hans Akerboom, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Ghana and special guest of honour, highlighted the long-standing cooperation between Ghana and the Netherlands in agriculture and the importance of public-private partnerships in expanding farmers’ access to high-quality seed. He officially launched the BSP and joined partners for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. BSP Project Manager, Fred Frimpong, said the partnership builds on trusted Ghana-Netherlands agricultural collaboration and aligns with Ghana’s Feed Ghana Programme and GROW24 ambitions. By connecting businesses, regulators, research institutions, agricultural colleges, farmers, distributors and investors, the initiative is designed to turn sector knowledge into practical and investable opportunities.
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Four areas of action
The BSP will work across four connected areas: stronger private-sector representation and coordination; variety trials, demonstrations and farmer knowledge exchange; commercial seedling production and quality systems; and seed-market development, partnerships and investment. Together, these workstreams will help farmers identify varieties suited to local growing conditions and market demand while strengthening the nurseries, distributors and seed companies that serve them. The launch program brought together representatives of the government, the Embassy, the World Bank’s Food System Resilience Programme, private businesses and other project partners. Following the formal ceremony, guests toured the farm and greenhouse facilities, where the Ambassador and other guests observed practical horticulture activities.
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Through the BSP, farmers are expected to gain improved access to quality planting material, field-based learning and market-relevant information. Participating businesses will benefit from stronger capabilities, new partnerships and expanded opportunities across the vegetable value chain. GNBCC will continue to connect Ghanaian and Dutch expertise, institutions and enterprises to support implementation.
The partnership is now moving into implementation, with partners focused on converting shared commitments into stronger businesses, better seed choices and more profitable vegetable production in Ghana.
Source: Agroberichten Buitenland
