Greetings from Kukobila Nasia Farms!

Kukobila Nasia farms is collaborating with GhanaVeg to improve and increase the production of butternut squash in the Savelugu Nanton District of the Northern Region of Ghana. The project is to promote the consumption of butternut squash by Ghanaians within Northern Ghana and beyond. This activity is in connection with GhanaVeg’s sector wide approach to ensure vegetables with such nutritional benefits becomes attractive for Ghanaians creating that local demand as well as increasing volumes and quality to meet the export market requirements.

Details of the Project

The project seeks to increase production of the vegetable and improve capacity of out-growers. Adding to this, Kukobila in the course of activities, will develop a sustainable value chain by building a suitable pack house and enhancing post-harvest training for out-growers. This will help farmers to properly handle produce so as to develop a local market for the produce.  Also, the project seeks to develop butternut out-grower fields by improving irrigation infrastructure, supply of inputs and out-grower training.

Sector wide impact of the project

Kukobila is hopeful that the current export and local demand would cause the produce to gain popularity. With this increase in demand, farmers will have higher economic returns nationwide as it can be used as an alternative cash crop within the vegetable value chain.

Status of the Project

Supply arrangement has been made with domestic and international contacts to ensure off-taking of the produce. Production has started on the nucleus farm to supply to domestic demand. The project is awaiting a reopening of the export window to commence export to other countries. A full-time agronomist has been engaged to conduct on-site training on best agronomic practices for out-growers.