To drive the growth expected in the agricultural sector, more partnerships are critically required among actors in the value chain of the sector, an agriculture expert has said.
Mr Danquah Addo-Yobo, Managing Director of Yara Ghana, at a media interaction on the 8th edition of the Pre-Harvest event, explained that the need for this is to ensure that as the country increases its efforts in productivity and profitability for the farmers, they know that they have the market.
“Governments, over decades, have had various programmes focusing on agriculture; however, why are we still doing two tonnes per hectare, when we have proven that we can do six to eight tonnes per hectare,” Addo-Yobo quizzed.
In an effort to further promote business partnerships among value chain actors, especially farmers, buyers, processors and input dealers, among others, for the first time since 2011, the 8th edition of the annual Pre-Harvest event will be held for three days.
Agrihouse Foundation’s Executive Director, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa said that, for this year, commodities such as shea nut and moringa, among others, will be available during the commodities session at the event.
The event features training programmes, workshops, field demonstrations, innovations and exhibitions, showcasing companies and organizations in the areas of seeds and seed production, fertilizer, finance, fisheries, storage, machinery, packaging and processing, food, innovation, ICT, government agencies, development partners, farmers and farming associations.
Over 2000 participants are expected in Tamale to participate in the event.
In 2017, the event brought together over 800 farmers, buyers, input dealers, manufacturers, government officials, development partners and financial institutions, among others.
The actors networked, discussed expectations and contracts for the 2017 harvest of maize, rice, soybean and other commodities, as well as established business relationships. Participants also acquired ideas and learned about technologies exhibited during the event.
Over the years, the event has helped farmers to access new market opportunities and technology to increase agricultural productivity.
Earlier this year, the USAID ADVANCE handed over the Pre-harvest Agribusiness Exhibitions and Conference to Agrihouse Foundation, with the World Food Programme as a key organizing partner.
The 8th Pre-Harvest Agribusiness Exhibition & Conference is being partnered by the World Food Programme, USAID, the Northern Regional Coordinating Council and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture of Ghana and being sponsored by Yara Ghana, Ecobank, Kosmos Energy, Hatoum Trading, LK International, Mel Consult, Interplast and Afgri John Deree.
By Joshua W. Amlanu
