Agrihouse officials, dignitaries in a group photograph at the launch
AGRIHOUSE FOUNDATION with support from partners has launched the 14th edition of the Pre-Harvest Agribusiness Conference and Exhibition, set to take place from Tuesday, October 29 to Thursday, October 31, 2024, at the Alhaji Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale.
This year’s event, themed, “Connecting the Unconnected – Accelerating Farmer-Buyer Connectivity to Reduce Post-Harvest Losses,” aims to address one of the most pressing challenges in the agricultural sector: reducing post-harvest losses through enhanced market linkages.
Executive Director, Agrihouse Foundation, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, said the conference and exhibitions have over the past 13 years, evolved into the largest market linkage platform in Ghana, successfully connecting over 197,000 farmers to markets.
For this year’s edition, Madam Akosa indicated that the event aims to offer even more opportunities for learning, networking, and business development.
She added that this year’s edition will feature several key components which include a farmer-to-farmer apprenticeship session which will offer a practical training module where experienced field representatives will guide selected farmer groups, including Farmer-Based Organizations (FBOs), Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), and women-led groups aimed at strengthening farmers’ abilities to manage machinery, equipment, and agricultural inputs, thereby enhancing productivity and creating new market opportunities.
Commission Manager, Sustainable Employment through Agribusiness in Ghana GIZ, Sarah Ruffler, said the pre-harvest initiative is implemented on behalf of the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Union (EU), as part of the Market-Oriented Agricultural Program in Northwest Ghana.
“We are delighted to be part of an event that fosters meaningful connections and addresses the pressing challenges faced by the agricultural sector.”
Madam Ruffler said the Pre-Harvest Celebration has historically offered a space for addressing critical issues, including the devastating effects of post-harvest losses on agricultural productivity.
Deputy Director Plant Protection and Regulatory Service Directorate, Christopher Gaitu, pledged the government’s unwavering support for this year’s event.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke