Remodeling Ghana’s Rice Sector through the Matching Grant Fund

Introduction
Batbak Services is a Ghanaian-owned agribusiness based in Karaga in the Northern Region, playing a key role in transforming rice production, processing, and marketing. The company delivers integrated services in agricultural mechanization, certified rice seed production, farmer training, and input delivery, supporting smallholder farmers to adopt climate-smart practices, including conservation tillage, to improve yield and promote sustainable farming systems.

Batbak Services entered the rice value chain through certified seed production and the packaging and marketing of rice in partnership with a consortium member, laying the foundation for deeper value-chain integration. On 12 June 2023, the company joined the Matching Grant Fund (MGF) Programme under the Sustainable Rice Farming and Milling Project, which was extended to December 2025 in recognition of strong performance and growth potential.

With MGF support, Batbak Services has evolved into a fully integrated rice sector enterprise, establishing a processing mill and expanding operations from seed production to paddy processing. This transformation has empowered smallholder farmers particularly women and delivered lasting economic and social benefits to rural communities.

Strengthening Batbak Services across the Rice Value Chain

A major milestone in the project was the establishment of a modern rice mill in Salaga, with a processing capacity of 1.5 metric tonnes per hour. This investment strengthened backward linkages with over 1200 smallholder rice farmers 30 percent of whom are women ensuring reliable markets for farmers and a steady paddy supply for the mill.

Human capacity development was a core focus, with 6 field staff and 7 mill staff trained in Farmer Business School, Sustainable Rice Production, Contract Farming, composting, quality standards, and environmental management. The Matching Grant Fund Project also enhanced networking and collaboration, enabling Batbak services to engage and learn from other actors across the rice value chain.

A significant shift toward gender inclusion emerged, with the company becoming intentionally gender responsive. Women now occupy two managerial roles and two additional positions, strengthening both women’s status and the company’s organizational culture.

To improve decision-making and climate-risk management, Batbak Services adopted digital tools such as Rice Advice Lite and Weed Manager, enhancing advisory services for both staff and farmers.

Empowering Smallholder Farmers
At the heart of the project are the farmers. Currently, more than 2,500 smallholder farmers have benefited from training, demonstrations, mechanization services, and access to quality inputs.

Through the Farmer Business School, 1,105 farmers were trained 597 women and 508 men enhancing their business and financial management skills. Sustainable Rice Production training reached 1,547 farmers, including 669 women and 878 men, while 1,054 farmers (355 women and 699 men) strengthened their collective capacity through Farmer Business Organization training.

Good Agricultural Practices were promoted through 80 farm learning sites, where 2,536 farmers, 1,573 women and 963 men, received hands-on training. These efforts translated into improved productivity, better farm management, and greater confidence among farmers.

The Matching grant fund also supported the production of about 20 metric tonnes of certified AGRA rice seed, distributed as input credit to 170 farmers. Post-harvest losses were significantly reduced through the provision of weighing scales, moisture meters, tarpaulins, and practical training in improved handling. Stronger linkages between farmers, aggregators, and rice mills further enhanced market access and income stability.

Advancing Women’s Economic Inclusion
Women have been central beneficiaries of the project. To reduce paddy losses and unlock new income streams, 30 women were trained in sustainable rice parboiling and processing. In addition, six female smallholder farmers were selected and trained as certified seed outgrowers. By producing quality seed for sale to other farmers, these women have strengthened local seed systems while increasing their own incomes and influence within the value chain.

Revitalizing Rural Communities
The project’s impact extends beyond individual farmers to entire communities. Mechanization services were introduced in eight communities, Kpedua, Kpungli, Jagdooyili, Zangbalung, Nantong Zuo, Kutung, Kpatinga, and Sung providing access to combine harvesters and threshing machines. To further support farmers, the project is working in partnership with API to make farm inputs more affordable, accessible, and timely, ensuring that productivity gains are sustained across the communities.

Conclusion
Through the Matching Grant Fund, Batbak Services has evolved into a stronger, more inclusive, and more resilient agribusiness. By building institutional capacity, empowering thousands of farmers, elevating women’s roles, and delivering vital services to rural communities, the project is helping to reshape Ghana’s rice sector one harvest at a time.