Farmer groups, district directors for agriculture, and agri-entrepreneurs in the Upper East region have launched a business forum that will help develop business strategies for the commercialization of agriculture in the region.
The initiative, dubbed the Business Farmers Association of Ghana (BUFAG), seeks to serve as a convergent point for the business activities of farmers by facilitating farming inputs, machinery, and the agricultural value-chain for its members.
“Members of the association will collectively purchase agro-inputs necessary for agricultural production and the value-chain initiatives, including facilitating the supply of farm inputs, farm machinery, and extension services.”
Prof. Joseph Larry, Executive Chairman of the association, made this known at the launch of the association in Bolgatanga, Wednesday, March 15, 2023.
Addressing the gathering, the executive chairman of the BUFAG further indicated that the aim was to improve the profitability of agribusiness in the Upper East and North-East Regions.
“We want to help farmers harness their collective might and adopt best practices and technologies to sustain and increase agricultural production to improve the socioeconomic well-being of farmers,” he added.
Prof. Larry, who doubles as the Dean of Students at the Bolgatanga Technical University, however, called on technocrats and individuals in the business community to embrace the initiative for the expansion and profitability of the two regions.
The association was formed in 2020 with close to 200 members at the three levels; district, regional, and national. Each level will ensure business activities are conducted efficiently toward effective productivity and agricultural growth.
The Upper East Regional Director of Agriculture, Alhajj Fuseini Zakaria, also used the initiative to encourage members, especially women, to improve upon their participation as well as food growth.
“I’m using this initiative to call on the women groups to use this BUFAG as a stepping stone to improve upon crop production and participation in agro-activities.”
Meanwhile, the Upper East Regional Minister, Stephen Yakubu, however, assured the group of the government’s commitment to improving the agriculture sector.
Adding that members of the group should at all times stick to their group’s mandate to realise its potential.
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1 MHz|Moses Apiah|Ghana
