Farming sector leader advocates for increased partnerships along the production process
Get ready to dive into some agri-awesomeness! The Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, has been championing the call for a stronger agric sector in Ghana. This power-player is urging increased funding, knowledge sharing, and resilience within the industry to create an efficient, post-pandemic agri-foods market.
Right on theme for the 3-day event, "Working Together to Improve Market Channels for Agri-foods Beyond the Pandemic," Ms. Akosa is advocating for value chain partnerships, which she believes are essential for sustainability and growth within the sector.
But what's her vision for the future? She's all about the Agrihouse Agri-Village – a haven for agribusinesses in Ghana! This stellar village will offer farm sites, training and recreational centers, laboratories, and plenty more juicy goodies for agri-entrepreneurs.
So, what's stopping us from making this vision a reality? Ms. Akosa is on the hunt for investors and supporters to help build this croptastic village and turn the agricultural sector into a commercial powerhouse!
The 3-days 11 Pre-harvest Agribusiness Conference and Exhibitions recently held in Tamale tore up the scene, with the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Shani Alhassan Shaibu, lauding its impact on the region. Agriculture contributes a whopping 74% to northern Ghana's employment, but the agricultural potential remains largely untapped, he noted.
YARA, Ecobank Ghana PLC, World Food Programme, ADB-Agricultural Development Bank, GIZ MOAP, Demeter Ghana Limited, United Fertilizers Company Limited (UFCL), and HD PLUS joined forces to make this event a smashing success.
In fact, YARA dropped a bombshell by announcing its nifty new Mobile App, "Farm Go," designed to predict weather conditions accurately, allowing farmers to maximize productivity. And with over 10,000 farmers already using the app, the future looks bright for YARA!
Let's not forget the 'Sustainable Soya Beans Production in Northern Ghana' Project, launched by YARA, aimed at supporting soya farmers and energizing the poultry sector. This project, backed by a Norwegian fund, will support at least 100,000 soya farmers in the region over four years.
Ecobank Ghana isn't playing around either – they set up an agribusiness desk under their commercial banking division to tide the agricultural sector over during these challenging times. They even financed the Wenchi and Tain Maize Farmers Federation, enabling them to cultivate 1,970 acres of maize to meet supply contracts with the Yedent Group of Companies.
The 3-day event showcased a wealth of training and capacity-building opportunities, including commodity breakout sessions, farmer-buyer matchmaking dialogues, exhibitions, agri-youth forums, gender workshops, development partner panel conversations, and practical field demonstrations exercises.
The Agrihouse Foundation Agri-Village might still be a dream, but with the right supporters hopping on board, it’s well on its way to becoming a vibrant hub of agricultural innovation. So, who's ready to plant some seeds in this fertile venture? Let’s get growing!
- The Agrihouse Agri-Village vision, championed by Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, aims to create an efficient post-pandemic agri-foods market through increased employment opportunities and business development.
- To achieve this goal, the Agrihouse Foundation is advocating for funding, knowledge sharing, and partnerships within the agricultural sector, especially value chain partnerships for sustainability and growth.
- The event "Working Together to Improve Market Channels for Agri-foods Beyond the Pandemic" emphasized the need for such partnerships to enhance the agricultural economy, especially in northern Ghana where the sector contributes significantly to employment.
- The success of the 3-days 11 Pre-harvest Agribusiness Conference and Exhibitions in Tamale demonstrated the potential for trade and commerce within the agric sector, with organizations like YARA, Ecobank Ghana PLC, and ADB-Agricultural Development Bank leading the way.
- Innovations like YARA's weather predicting Mobile App, "Farm Go," and the Sustainable Soya Beans Production in Northern Ghana project are examples of how finance and technology can help drive growth in the agricultural market.
- Besides, institutions like the World Food Programme, GIZ MOAP, and Demeter Ghana Limited are actively collaborating to support the sector, ensuring its resilience and long-term development.
- On the other hand, Ecobank Ghana's agribusiness desk and financing for farmer associations demonstrate their commitment to sustaining the industry's financial health, even during challenging times.
- The ongoing projects and platforms such as commodity breakout sessions, farmer-buyer matchmaking dialogues, agri-youth forums, and practical field demonstrations will help develop the necessary skills and connections for the future of the sector.
- In line with this, the Agrihouse Foundation's Agri-Village, when fully realized, will become a hub of agricultural innovation, offering farm sites, training centers, laboratories, and recreational facilities for aspiring agri-entrepreneurs.
- For the Agrihouse Agri-Village to become a reality, supportive investors and allies are urgently needed to help turn the agricultural sector into a commercial powerhouse and contribute to overall economic growth and sustainability.
