The Root and Tuber Improvement and Marketing Programme (RTIMP) works to develop Ghana’s agricultural commodity chain for roots and tubers. The objective of the programme is to enhance the food security and incomes of poor rural households in Ghana, with a special emphasis on women and other vulnerable groups.

The programme connects farmers with markets and with relevant, effective and sustainable services that enable them to increase agricultural productivity and profitability. Additionally, RTIMP empowers farmers by working to develop capacity within farmer-based organizations and other trade organizations.

The programme has three main objectives:

• developing linkages within the commodity chain for roots and tubers
• enhancing production of roots and tubers through improved technologies
• developing processing and marketing infrastructure for roots and tubers.

The programme builds on lessons learned from the Root and Tuber Improvement Programme, which focused primarily on cassava research and development. RTIMP extends this focus to other roots and tubers and includes a strong marketing component designed to improve poor farmers’ incomes. Ultimately, the programme will help poor rural people become full actors in Ghana’s root and tuber commodity chains.
 

Source: IFAD