MAMA launches in Ghana to open markets for soy farmers
On 30 September 2026, partners came together in Accra, Ghana, to launch Making Agrifood Markets Accessible for Soy Farmers (MAMA), a three-year program delivered in partnership with the Norwegian Embassy. Implementation has begun: small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are contracted, crops are planted and engagement with stakeholders is ongoing. The launch brought partners together to share feedback, build awareness of the challenges MAMA addresses and make the case for an enabling policy environment for Ghana’s soy sector.
Soybeans are increasingly important to Ghana’s agrifood economy, with growing demand from the poultry, feed, food processing and other sectors. Farmers continue to face constraints in access to reliable markets, price information, quality requirements, aggregation and finance. At the launch, the Norwegian Ambassador to Ghana set out why soybeans and MAMA matter:
Soybeans can play a significant role in advancing sustainable agriculture. The Making Agrifood Markets Accessible for Soy Farmers (MAMA) program is, therefore, about ensuring the entire value chain operates effectively and equitably to improve farmers’ livelihoods and create lasting economic opportunities for all
Our starting point is the market. MAMA connects smallholder soy farmers to two major off-takers operating across Ghana’s Northern and Southern regions. Stronger commercial linkages create more predictable markets for farmers and give off-takers a reliable supply of quality soybeans. We are working with six SMEs in Northern Ghana to address these systemic constraints, opening up opportunities for aggregation and structured sourcing and strengthening the capacity of SMEs and other value chain actors to engage farmers on a commercially sustainable basis. Through this work, we are facilitating market access for an estimated 160 metric tonnes of soybeans. Our Country Director sums up what lasting market change involves:
“It requires building the relationships, capabilities and systems that allow markets to work better over time. This is why the MAMA program, in partnership with the Norwegian Embassy, together with the three implementing partners, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, SMEs, farmers, off-takers and other stakeholders, is committed to creating a shared commercial opportunity, viable pathways for women, men and youth to participate more meaningfully in the soybean economy."
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) contributes expertise in agronomy, seed systems and climate-smart extension, the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) brings strengths in policy dialogue and sector convening, and YARA Ghana offers capabilities in input supply and crop nutrition. Combined, these interventions are expected to improve market coordination, raise sector efficiency and create an enabling environment for sustainable private-sector investment. The learning and market intelligence MAMA generates will inform future investments and contribute to a more competitive and inclusive soy sector in Ghana.