Training Ghana’s Next Generation of Farmers

At Opportunity International, we are committed to reaching the last mile and empowering rural entrepreneurs. Across sub-Saharan Africa, agriculture is a primary source of income for millions of families living in poverty. For women and youth, economic opportunities are often scarce and informal, such as contributing to work on family farms or trading produce at markets. In sub-Saharan Africa, 76% of working women work in agrifood systems, compared to 41% globally. Meanwhile, young farmers often lack access to land rights, creating a significant barrier to participation (FAO).

Opportunity International trains a network of 2,849 Farmer Support Agents (FSAs) who, in turn, support over 570,000 farmers (Opportunity, 2026). These agents are successful farmers themselves who provide hands-on training, mentorship, and support to local farmers in their communities. For many small-scale farmers, an FSA is more than a mentor. They are a trusted guide and a critical link to new opportunities.

Through their FSA, farmers gain access to business trainings like financial literacy that go beyond agricultural practices. This ensures farmers are building sustainable farms, resilient businesses, and healthy homes. FSAs also help connect farmers with one another. Many farmers join savings groups, where members save together and become a local source for small loans to invest in their farm or smooth over unstable income. Over time, some groups grow into formal cooperatives, helping farmers secure better prices and access larger markets.

What often begins as a single training session can lead to stronger farmers, higher incomes, and a more secure future for the whole community.

Meet Sampson: A Trust Support Agent

Among the hundreds of Opportunity’s support agents, you’ll find Sampson working with farmers in Ghana’s Eastern Region. Like many FSAs, Sampson helps Opportunity reach the last mile. He is part lead farmer, part community leader, and part trusted connection to services and information.

While hands-on training and group connection remain essential, Opportunity is also exploring how digital tools can help farmers overcome information barriers. Historically, when FSAs encountered questions they could not answer, they had to wait for additional Opportunity training or travel long distances to consult local government offices. Today, they can get answers by simply messaging Opportunity’s FarmerAI through WhatsApp, the most common messaging app in Africa, helping extend agricultural knowledge to even the most remote communities. This time-saving capability can be critical when addressing pests or diseases threatening crops or livestock.

Thanks to investment from numerous partners, farmers in some of the hardest-to-reach communities have access to critical agronomy information and the best practices.

Two Stories of Growth: Philipa and Godwin

One of the small-scale farmers Sampson trains is Philipa, a cabbage farmer. Through FarmerAI, Philipa learned the best pesticides and chemical inputs to use for her cabbage plants. Now, she no longer has insect infestations and has seen her yields grow from 5–8 bags to 10–15 bags.

Godwin, another of Sampson’s young farmers, has been growing cocoa for about five years. Before, he sometimes struggled with farming challenges like cocoa pods turning black. After taking a photo with Sampson’s smartphone, Godwin used FarmerAI to identify the disease affecting his cocoa pods and received recommendations to address it.

I have been able to gain more profit from my crops through the FarmerAI. I am hopeful that my harvest will increase from five bags to ten bags."

Early Results and Growing Momentum

With FarmerAI, clients can submit photos to identify diseases or pests affecting their crops or livestock. Voice-to-text functionality makes the tool accessible to users with limited literacy, and all recommendations come from a vetted knowledge base developed by leading agronomy institutions and tailored to Ghana’s regions. FarmerAI not only helps Sampson train farmers more efficiently, but this time-saving capability can be the difference between a failed harvest and a year of growth.

In an early pilot among rice farmers in Ghana, FarmerAI received more than 8,500 queries, demonstrating strong demand. The tool also achieved a satisfaction rate of more than 75%, the highest satisfaction rate among Opportunity’s FarmerAI deployments in Africa. Now, with additional partners in Development Bank Ghana and GIRSAL, FarmerAI is continuing to expand and improve its knowledge base in Ghana.

What's Next

For women farmers and youth like Philipa and Godwin, access to timely advice, financial services, and trusted local support can mean the difference between surviving and thriving. By listening to the unique needs of our clients and partnering with global leaders in technology, agriculture, and finance, we can unlock new opportunities for people living in poverty and create lasting change.

If you are interested in building the future of agricultural services, donate today at opportunity.org/donate.