Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, Minister Food and Agriculture
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), in collaboration with its partner ACDEP, has organized a day’s networking event for 50 farmer groups under the Capacity Development of Farmer-Based Cooperatives and Organizations (FBCs/ FBOs) Project.
The event, which is a major component of the Korean Government funded project, was attended by major agribusinesses and produce buying companies such as Savannah Farming Marketing Company, Masara N’Arziki, Cropcare Ghana Limited and Excel Bit Company.
The forum gave farmer groups the opportunity to obtain first-hand information about various purchasing requirements, best practices and operational modalities of the major produce buying companies.
The event was used to establish market linkages between the farmer groups and the participating firms.
Two networking workshops would be organized by KOICA before the end of the project in 2020.
The acting Director for Cooperatives, Savelugu Municipality, Joseph Baagu Salam, said they had trained cooperative officers in the various districts in the Northern Region.
He indicated that the trained officers would pay monthly visits and write reports to enhance their work.
“We are currently training cooperative leaders which will build their capacity so that even without anyone assisting them they would be able to work effectively.”
Regional Director for Cooperatives, UER, Samuel Adosey, said the workshop would give them the opportunity to know when to buy and plant good seeds.
“This workshop will help members to know how to grow on their own without resources from supporting organizations.”
The three-and-half year project, which is being implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations and the Department of Cooperatives, is being supported with a grant of $6.18 million.
From Eric Kombat, Tamale