Ghana and the Netherlands share a strong agricultural partnership that promotes sustainable farming, food security, innovation, and investment. Guided by the Dutch Diamond approach, the collaboration brings government, research, business, and civil society together to support agricultural transformation, particularly in the horticulture sector. This cooperation is structured under the Ghana Netherlands Agricultural Working Group, including technical working groups on seeds and agribusiness.
Through this framework, both countries work together to strengthen key areas such as knowledge and technology transfer, promote innovation and research to improve sustainable productivity, and the development of the agribusiness sector. It was within this context that the Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. John Dumelo and his team of experts, undertook a visit to the Netherlands earlier this year to further deepen engagement and cooperation.
Beeld: Demonstrating onion sowing practices
Promoting innovation, knowledge transfer and agribusiness development
The horticulture sector in Ghana has a lot of potential, for employment as well as in addressing food and nutrition security. The production and post-harvest handling of fruits and vegetables is a market of increasing interest and potential, for both Ghanaian companies as Dutch expertise and products.
Through the ACHI program, the Netherlands is collaborating with five agricultural colleges, the Technical University of Delft (TU Delft), and several Dutch companies to enhance horticultural curricula by introducing courses focused on farming as a business. A key priority going forward is to help talented young professionals to further develop their skills through traineeships and on-the-job learning opportunities, allowing them to gain indepth practical experience and grow into well-rounded agronomists. At the same time, these traineeships enable companies to identify and recruit promising young talents with the skills needed to support the growth of the sector.
Beeld: Agricultural innovation tour at the TU Delft
As part of the program, the delegation visited the TU Delft Innovation Market Village, where they engaged with more than 15 Dutch horticultural companies showcasing innovative technologies and solutions in seed development, water management, soil health, climate adaptation, and fertilizers. The delegation also visited the World Horti Center, a leading innovation hub for greenhouse horticulture that brings together sector stakeholders to showcase the latest technologies in sustainable food production.
At a Dutch farm, a chat about ditches sparked deep talk on water, biodiversity, and the hidden role of farmers in maintaining these systems
From research to field application for sustainable productivity
Agricultural development in Ghana is shaped by several challenges, including limited access to key agricultural inputs, declining soil quality, and the impacts of climate change on production systems. Together, these issues continue to undermine productivity and threaten the long-term sustainability of the sector. Initiatives such as the World Soil Data Centre and Soil Values focus on improving access to reliable soil data, while programs like the Ghana Seed Partnership support farmers’ access to quality inputs. Looking ahead, a key priority in Ghana is to better integrate innovation and research and translate into practical solutions, such as (low-tech) living labs and demonstration fields, that can effectively reach and support farmers.
The program included visits to several innovative agricultural hubs. At Rijk Zwaan in de Lier, the delegation gained insight into the company’s innovation processes and the development of new seed varieties. At Soil Valley, participants were introduced to tools for restoring and protecting healthy soil and water systems, including the potential of worm juice as a low-tech solution for improving soil health. A visit to Den Ouden GrowSolutions followed, focusing on organic fertilizers and bio-stimulants and their role in improving soil fertility and crop performance. The program concluded at Farm Vervelde Dubbeldam, a third-generation Dutch family farm applying circular and sustainable farming practices, including composting, pollination borders, and other nature-based solutions.
Beeld: Demonstration tour at Soil Valley
Ghana Netherlands bilateral cooperation: Highlights and future activities
A key element of the program was the high-level discussion between the Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. John Dumelo, and the Dutch Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN), Hon. Silvio Erkens. A significant outcome was the signing of an addendum under the Ghana–Netherlands Agricultural Working Group to strengthen collaboration in the vegetable seed sector. Poultry and the reduction of food loss and waste were identified as priority areas for future cooperation, with both countries agreeing to further engagement through a joint roundtable.
On food loss and waste, the delegation visited Van Gelder Groente & Fruit, gaining insights into advanced logistics and supply chain systems that help maintain product quality across the value chain.
Beeld: The Ministers with the delegation
Conclusion
The visit highlighted the value of integrated agricultural systems that bring together innovation, research, technology and investment to support sustainable growth. It also underscored the importance of continued collaboration between Ghana and the Netherlands in advancing agricultural development, with opportunities for joint work in areas such as seed development, soil health, climate-smart agriculture, logistics, and food production.
More information
If you would like to know more, please send us an email via acc-lvvn@minbuza.nl.