Page 58 - AFAP Success Stories 2020
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various stakeholders along the agricultural value chain.   For the most part, AFAP has achieved these marvelous
            Through AGRA’s Smallholder Inclusive, Productivity and   results through field activities that include: on-site training
            Market Access (SIPMA) project, AFAP has assisted farmers   and coaching, on-site interactions and monitoring visits.
            within the project-implementing regions with access to
            subsidized fertilizer and seeds (under the planting for   Nevertheless, AFAP has also adopted various technological
            food and jobs policy). It has also offered access to other   means of accessing and engaging its partners and staff.
            farm  inputs  so  as  to  increase  yields  and  consequently   Partners and beneficiaries who do not have access to
            improve the lives of smallholder farmers in Ghana. AFAP’s   technology (such as a telephone or computer) are engaged
            component of the project includes, but is not limited to,   and reached through their selected representatives, the
            capacity building and training farmers and other selected   CBAs. All actions that necessitate face-to-face meetings
            community champions known as Community Based       have also been postponed until the lockdown is over.
            Advisors (CBAs). They offer training on fertilizer and seed
            handling, entrepreneurial skills, book- and record keeping   Should this pandemic continue beyond what has been
            and pesticide application. Following on from these   anticipated, smallholder farmers who constitute the
            aforementioned modules, monitoring visits have also   majority of the agricultural sector and who also have little
            been carried out and great results were recorded – with   or no access to inputs or logistics to maneuver smoothly,
            farmers  and CBAs reporting improved  yields, increased   especially during this pandemic, will be affected. As such,
            revenue and the overall wellbeing of those involved.  AFAP, just like all other organizations, is hoping to see the
                                                               swift end of this global pandemic.

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