Market-Oriented Agricultural Program (MOAP) under the auspices of the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council has held the second Agribusiness Fair and Conference in Wa of the Upper West Region, under the theme: “boosting the Agricbusiness Potential of North Western Ghana”.
The conference had its focus on crucial areas for transforming agriculture in the region such as Agri – Infrastructure, Agri – finance, Agri – Marketing, Youth and Women in Agriculture.
Panelists at the conference discussed and provided interesting solutions which can harness the Upper West Region potential and addressed some agricultural challenges that are faced by individuals and organizations in both in the private and public sector.
Delivering the welcome address at the event, Upper West Regional Coordinating Director Peter Maala who represented the Upper West Regional Minister stated that the second Agribusiness Fair and Conference provides a platform for development partners, farmers, farmer-based organizations and other stakeholders to meet, deliberate on issues and network to promote agribusiness in the region.
He recounted that the marketing linkages out of the 2019 fair and conference resulted in total production of 102.4 metric tons of mango fruits which were sold to the HPH a mango processing and Export Company located in Accra.
He said the theme chose for the conference is appropriate and implies that players explore and tap on the potential of the agriculture sector and grow the food on large scale than what they are currently doing.
Mr. Maala urged farmers and value chain players to introduce the appropriate modern technology and tools in their activities to boost production.
He said agriculture has over the years been the driven force behind the economic growth of Ghana and the fact that there is a shift in focus from aid to trade to drive Ghana’s development agenda, make the theme more appropriate.
Mr. Maala said a viable agribusiness center is pivotal in powering the change and giving effective means to the new paradigm of trade and not aid.
To make this happen he said there is the need to continue with the effort to strengthening the collaboration between government and partners to help implement direct policies to empower the smallholder farmers.
Mr Maala observed that the benefit of the fair will afford stakeholders the opportunity to increase their efforts to coordinate the delivery of agriculture resources and knowledge.
The representative of the Minister of Food and Agriculture Richard Twumasi Ankra, delivering the keynote address, thanked MOAP, for the continuous support in promoting competitiveness of agricultural producers and other actors such as processors, traders and service providers in the agricultural Value Chain to compete in both national and international markets.
He said the ministry is gradually moving from inorganic fertilizer to organic fertilizer in order to reduce its negative impact to the farm land.
Mr. Ankra said, “It is my cherished hope that with joined efforts and sustained interest in agricultural investment, we will create flourishing agribusinesses that will spur accelerated rural transformation, create jobs and improve livelihoods of the people here and Ghanaians in general.”
MOAP, is a joint initiative between the European Union (EU), German Corporation, Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) and implemented by GIZ.
MOAP is to create an enabling environment for investment and agricultural infrastructure, to enhance quality in agricultural production, increase income and create jobs along the value chains.
Source: A11Radioonline.com| 101.1MHz| Dennis Bebane| Ghana
