Salifu Saeed, Northern Regional Minister, flanked by other dignitaries at the event
Dr Gyeile Kwaku Nurah, Minister of State in-charge of Food & Agriculture, has called on the private sector to take advantage of government’s One District One Factory (1D1F) initiative to establish agro-processing factories in rural areas of the country to add value to farm produce for export.
Dr Nurah, who gave the advice at the 8th Pre-harvest Agribusiness Conference and Exhibition, which took place at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale recently, also appealed to stakeholders in the agriculture value chain to support the transformation of agriculture and agribusiness into a more inclusive, equitable, climate-smart sector-oriented business to improve the lives of rural poor.
The event, which was on the theme, “Agri-business in Northern Ghana – The Future starts now,” brought together about 3,122 participants and 144 exhibitors, who mainly focus on machinery and equipment, processing and packaging, inputs, transport, research and regulation.
The three-day event featured in-depth insights and actionable and practical tools of engagement models.
Methods and mechanisms were presented to participants by an array of experts and skilful speakers, who are knowledgeable in their various fields.
WFP Country Director, Rukia Yacoub, in a remark, expressed delight in using the pre-harvest platform to support smallholder farmers to improve their productivity.
She said the programme would ultimately help agro-processors produce for the West Africa sub-region and other markets create better opportunities.
Managing Director of YARA Ghana, a leading crop nutrition company, Addo Danquah Yobo, on his part, said YARA Ghana was keen on building the right partnership and support at all levels towards transforming Ghana’s agriculture sector.
Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, Heather Cameron and Netherlands Ambassador to Ghana, Ron Strikker, both pledged the support of their countries to Ghana’s agriculture sector to enable smallholder farmers to improve on their yields and increase their incomes.
Director of External Relations and International Trade, Mel Consulting Limited, Lucy Quainoo, reiterated the commitment of her organisation to supporting smallholder farmers to enhance their livelihoods and help reduce rural poverty through their various financial services.
Head of Business Tata/John Deere’s dealers in agriculture machinery, Aashish Rastogi, expressed his company’s preparedness to collaborate with all stakeholders in the agriculture sector to provide tailor-made solutions for players in the sector, especially smallholder farmers.
Northern Regional Minister, Salifu Saeed, on his part, said his region was delighted to host such an initiative, adding that they are always open to programmes that put smiles on the faces of farmers and their families.
Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Development Authority (NDA), Dr. Abdul Majeed Haruon, a panellist, gave the assurance that his outfit would collaborate with farmers to make ‘Planting for Food and Jobs’ programme successful.
Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, expressed satisfaction with the event.
She also expressed gratitude to all the exhibitors, resource persons, panel discussants, government officials, development partners, media, among others, for helping to promote the agriculture sector of Ghana.