Country Manager for Dizengoff Ghana, Mark Douglas says the company’s strong backing for agriculture in the country is the reason it supports the 8th pre-harvest exhibitions and conference.
In a media briefing, Douglas said Northern Ghana is a focal point for which the exhibition and conference will serve a useful purpose, adding that, this year’s event features training programs, workshops and field demonstrations.
There would be an exhibition of a greenhouse demo, where farmers can be exposed to practices and benefits from the use of greenhouse projects, Douglas indicated.
The event over the last seven years has succeeded in supporting and improving the activities of several thousands of farmers and businesses in the agriculture and agricultural-related sectors in Ghana.
The Pre-harvest event is aimed at transforming agribusiness in Ghana with the Government’s Planting for Food and Jobs programme; the strong interest by agro-processors on sourcing raw materials locally, a growing band of agribusiness entrepreneurs, and lessons from development partner interventions.
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 Program 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. As a highlight, Dizengoff would also focus on showcasing key agricultural machineries at the event.
By Joshua W. Amlanu