The Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture Ghana Hon. Alhaji Mohammad Hardi Tufeiru said agricultural exhibitions are strategic events organized all over the world by progressive countries seeking to promote agriculture and to fast-track economic growth on a sustainable basis.
He said this when delivering the keynote address at the biggest ever agriculture exhibition at the Accra International Conference Centre under the theme: Agriculture Modernization and Adoption of Innovative Practices for Good Food and Good Health on 23 March 2022
“As an emerging economy, seeking to accelerate the economic growth and ensure sustainable development, Ghana has no choice but to adopt modern technologies and best practices around the world to complement homegrown solutions for transforming its economy”.
This exhibition serves as a one-stop-shop opportunity for farmers and other stakeholders to thrive. It also provides an important platform for farmers to interact by sharing ideas, information, lessons and keeping updated on developmental growth in the agricultural sector.
“The success stories particularly Ghana which prioritizes agriculture provides valuable lessons, guidance, and inspiration from all indications, Ghana stands to benefit immensely by holding regular fairs like this if the experience of other countries is anything to go by”, Hon. added.
He explained that in the current dynamic environment, the importance of agriculture exhibitions cannot be over-emphasized. Given that valuable information is central to the success of every business enterprise in Ghana. Agricultural exhibitors must be embraced by all as an opportunity to better the fortunes of the businesses in the sector.
“Here in Ghana, the changes taking place from the agriculture front make regular information seeking a necessity. Without the knowledge about ideas, strategies, and policies being rolled out, farmers and other sector players along the agricultural value chain stand to lose greatly by not benefiting fully from the government interventions in the sector”.
He anticipated that high opportunities to be created for accessing modern technologies and information for the farmers to develop the sector.
The Project Director of AgriTech West Africa, Wegvoraus Mr. Thomas James said Ghana is already on the progressing market and the most progressing agriculture economy in the world. The African Continent of Free Trade Area’s headquarters in Ghana is an advantage for Ghana to thrive.
“Ghana is doing well in the last five years by improvising its food production by almost doubling it, yet Ghana has more to do to meet the food production requirements in terms of food security and in the next five years Ghana is going to be the finest agro-food exporters in West Africa”, he said.
“Ghana can be the pinpoint where it can attract more endorsements, food processing, and value-added to products. What Ghana needs to do is to maintain its consistent momentum in adopting innovative agriculture practices, innovative technologies, and more productive activities from time to time in order to feed the people”.
The Agrictech West Africa exhibition is to give access to the innovative inputs and technology that are needed in growing crops, upscale production, and providing synergies for farmers and stakeholders. The Managing Director of UPL Calli Ghana, Bernard Okutu said.
Ghanaian farmers need to be educated on inputs and technological usage needed in farming for good yield to solve food security issues.
He called on Ghanaians to stay calm on the fertilizer shortage due to the Russian-Ukraine war, indicating that there is fertilizer in the country but, there is a lack of financing, therefore, the government should make policies that will finance the youth who are willing to venture into the agriculture sector
The Chief Operations Officer for the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Frederick Adu Amoako stated that for Ghana to progress, farmers and all stakeholders need to adopt technological innovations in order to increase production.
“Ghana need to adopt the various technological advancement in the Western World, engage in research to acquire knowledge to develop the sector”.
“This exhibition is to showcase technologies, chemicals, and other implements. For agriculture to look attractive to hand over to the next generation, then there must be innovation”, Mr. Adu Amoako said.
