Dr. Otokunor Highlights ‘Dobidi’ Platform as Game-Changer for Women and Youth Farmers

Director of the Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness (PIAA), Dr. Peter Boamah Otokunor, has described the Dobidi Agro-Input Credit and Farmer Financing Platform (DACFIP) as a revolutionary step towards empowering women and youth in Ghana’s agriculture sector.

Speaking at the EliGreen Women and Youth Agribusiness Exhibition Summit (EWAYES 25) held at the Accra International Conference Centre, Dr. Otokunor said the digital platform was developed to address long-standing structural barriers that prevent smallholder farmers, particularly women and youth, from accessing agricultural finance and essential inputs.

“Dobidi, meaning ‘grow and eat some’, reflects our conviction that progress in agriculture must be collective, inclusive, and shared,” he said. “Its promise is simple but profound to ensure that no farmer is left behind because of a lack of access to finance.”

He explained that the platform connects farmers to credit facilities, technical support, input suppliers, and off-takers, allowing them to access fertilizers, seeds, and mechanization services on credit, with repayment due after harvest. “Through data and traceability, DACFIP builds financial credibility for farmers and boosts confidence among banks and lenders,” he added.

Dr. Otokunor commended President John Dramani Mahama for championing initiatives that place women and youth at the center of agricultural transformation. “Under President Mahama’s leadership, we are building an agricultural economy that works for all, especially women and youth,” he stated.

He further encouraged banks and development partners to join the Dobidi ecosystem and support its expansion across all regions. “To our banks and financial institutions: I urge you to see agriculture not as high-risk, but as high-potential. The farmers you hesitate to finance today are the producers who will feed your cities tomorrow,” he emphasized.

The summit, themed “Breaking Barriers: Securing Market and Financial Access for Women and Youth in the Agribusiness Sector,” convened entrepreneurs, policymakers, and financial institutions to discuss practical strategies for improving inclusion and market access in Ghana’s agribusiness landscape.