In their attempt to address the financial and business obstacles in farming, some individual farmers and farmers groups in the Upper East Region, have launched a business farming strategy to boost commercial farming in the region.
The new group, known as Business Farmers Association of Ghana (BUFAG) seeks to conduct various business activities, such as market reseasrch, marketing, imput suppies, business registration and others for farmers.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony at Bolgatanga, the Executive Chairman of BUFAG, Professor Joseph Larry stated that the reason for the establishment of the association was to bring farmers together to improve on their levels of production and to advance socio-economic well being of the members.
“BUFAG is a registered association of commercial farmers across the Upper East Region and some parts of North-East Region of Ghana. It was formed in 2020 to help farmers harness their collective might and adopt best practices and technologies to sustain and increase agricultural productivity. It is also expected to help in post-harvest management and marketing of agricultural produce, with the sole aim of making farming lucrative and improving the socio-economic well-being of its members.
Members of the association will collectively purchase agro-inputs necessary for agricultural production and be involved in a wide range of agri-business activities along the agricultural value-chain, such as, facilitating supply of farm inputs, farm machinery and implements, as well as providing extension services and market services.”
BUFAG is going to operate at three stages, which include Districtl, Regional and National levels. The association at all these levels will ensure that the business activities are effeciently conducted to achieve effective productivity and growth of all members.
The Upper East Regional Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Alhaji Fuseini Zakaria lauded the idea of BUFAG. According to him, the move by the group, will help boost and enhance the development of agriculture in the region and Ghana as a whole if replicated properly..
The Upper East Regional Minister, Stephen Yakubu for his part stated that the idea by the farmers is a very good and has the potential to effectively promote and develop more commercial farms in the region and production centers as expected.
Mr. Yakubu called on the farmers and Executives not to hesitate in seeking any support from his office, because he fully supports the business strategy and believes that the decision taken by the farmers falls in line with government’s plans to improve commercial farming in Ghana.
FROM: Ebo Bruce-Quansah, Bolgatanga