USAID Encourages Evidence-Based Policy To Boost Agricultural Productivity

Accra, GHANA–The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through the U.S. government’s Feed the Future Initiative hosted a summit on agriculture policy to share research on evidence-based policy recommendations with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, other government agencies, development partners, research institutions and the private sector on August 15, 2017.

The objective of the summit was to explore how proposed policies can improve food security and increase private sector investment in Ghana’s agriculture sector. USAID/Ghana Acting Mission Director, Steven E. Hendrix attended the event and delivered remarks on the importance of using research and data to inform policymaking.

The summit was held under the theme “Supporting effective and efficient Agriculture Policies through Research” to strengthen Ghana’s agricultural policymaking process. The event featured policy recommendations from nine studies carried out by Ghanaian researchers. Discussions were held on how Ghanaian policymakers can use data and research to create an enabling environment for private investment in agriculture.

“USAID supports the Ministry of Food and Agriculture with research and policy analysis, and builds the capacity of public and private organizations to closely monitor and evaluate agriculture programs,” remarked Mr. Hendrix. “Where policymaking is concerned, we believe research is a critical component to creating the most effective agricultural policies.”

In 2016, USAID through Feed the Future’s Agriculture Policy Support Project in partnership with the Ministry, jointly commissioned the development of selected agriculture policy studies to encourage evidence-based policy formulation, promote advocacy and improve the monitoring and evaluation of agriculture programs.

This event was organized by USAID to strengthen agricultural research and support agricultural policies based on relevant and quality data to foster sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

About the Agriculture Policy Support Project
The Agriculture Policy Support Project (APSP) is a five-year Feed the Future project, with the goal to improve the food security-enabling environment for private sector investment. The aim is to increase the capacity of the Government of Ghana, the private sector and civil society organizations to implement evidence-based policies, conduct research and advocacy and perform rigorous monitoring and evaluation of agriculture programs implemented under the Medium Term Agriculture Sector Investment Plan (METASIP).

About Feed the Future:
Feed the Future is the U.S. government’s global hunger and food security initiative. With a focus on smallholder farmers, particularly women, Feed the Future supports partner countries in developing their agriculture sectors to spur economic growth and trade that increase incomes and reduce hunger, poverty, and undernutrition. For more information, visit www.feedthefuture.gov.