Agrihouse Foundation and Women in Food and Agricultural Development (WIAD), in partnership with the National Farmers and Fishermen Award Winners Association of Ghana (NFFAWAG) have launched the Women in Food and Agriculture Conference Expo (WOFAGRIC) and Gold in the Soil Awards, in Accra.
The main event is scheduled to take place in March, 2019 in Kumasi, to coincide with the International Women’s day.
This will witness a gathering of women who play different roles, standing out as pillars of economic growth in agriculture and agribusiness, a dominant vocation in rural areas in Ghana and the rest of the continent.
For several decades now women have played a major role in agriculture, the world over. About 70 percent of the agricultural workers, 80 percent of food producers and 15 percent of those who process basic food, are women and they also undertake 70 percent to 85 percent of the rural marketing; thus making up more than two-third of the workforce in agricultural production. Unfortunately, their efforts are hampered by the lack of key augmenting factors such as technology, markets as well as other productive resources.
There is therefore the need for governments to pay serious attention to women in agriculture throughout the institution of policies, programmes and funds to accelerate their effort in agricultural growth.
WOFAGRIC is aimed at highlighting and recognizing the contributions women have made to the development of agriculture over the years and also aims at forging partnerships and develop innovative ideas to shape the future of women in Agribusiness.
Activities for the 2- day conference and Expo in Kumasi, in 2019, will include:
- Panel Discussions on key topics within the value chain
- Mentorship and business planning grooming session for women who want to venture into agribusiness
- Agribusiness and Farm management skills
- Career opportunities for women in agriculture
- Women in Leadership Training
- Innovative marketing session
- Exhibitions (with a focus on displaying products, services and businesses of women in agriculture
WOFAGRIC hopes to provide attendees with a network of women, stamping their foot in agribusiness that they can reach out to throughout the year, as well as provide attendees with useful risk management tools that will help set their operations up for a future of success.
It also aims at providing women farmers the resources they need to enhance their knowledge on the farm or agribusiness operations and learn the value of leadership in communities, associations and cooperatives.
WOFAGRIC will be climaxed with an awards ceremony, dubbed “Gold in the Soil Awards”, where 3 women will be awarded for their outstanding contribution, in developing the sector. Their works will be documented and screened during the awards.