First mapping of Farmers Markets launched in Ghana

Farmers' markets, where producers sell directly to consumers, play an important role in improving the livelihoods of small-scale farmers and strengthening local agrifood systems. They support food security, nutrition, and biodiversity while fostering closer ties between producers and consumers and generating economic and social benefits for communities. The COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted these markets' importance in supporting local food systems' resilience.

As different models of farmers markets exist, it becomes crucial to document and understand them and identify influencing factors that may determine the outcome of each model. These insights are key to inform decision-making toward more sustainable agrifood systems.

Spearheaded by FAO and the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Ghana's first mapping of farmers markets was recently initiated as part of the FAO project Global Network of Farmers Markets. The three-year project implemented under the Food Coalition aims to explore and promote diverse farmers market models and collective mechanisms for small-scale producers to engage in sustainable food systems and become agents of economic, social and environmental sustainability.

The mapping in Ghana opened with a stakeholder meeting on 15 April 2025, which engaged over 30 key informants, spanning policymakers, academics, farmers, consumers, associations, and World Farmers Markets Coalition representatives. Stakeholders discussed various market typologies nationwide, focusing on those featuring direct-to-consumer sales and the defining characteristics of farmers’ markets in the Ghanaian context. They agreed on the sample of markets to be mapped, and on the geographical focus of the study, the Central Region of Ghana. In Ghana, farmers' markets are grouped in a Network supported by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the Municipalities, the Farmers' Associations and the University of Cape Coast. The Network is a member of the World Farmers Market Coalition.

Dr Selorm Akaba, Senior Lecturer at the University of Cape Coast and Lead of the mapping team, highlighted the benefits of farmers’ markets: "By selling directly to consumers, farmers boost their profit margin while consumers enjoy access to fresh, nutritious and affordable food rooted in their localities."

Initial insights from the stakeholder meeting and field visits pointed to the high quality of products in farmers' markets and to women's key role in diverse types of markets as farmers selling directly to consumers and as retailers. Observations also underscored the need to strengthen farmers' entrepreneurial skills and collective action to boost market participation.

Regional authorities welcomed this first research endeavour and look forward to its outcomes, which will inform decision-making on strengthening sustainable markets and the participation of small-scale farmers therein. Importantly, plans are currently underway to extend the mapping to the northern regions of the Country.