By Priscilla Oye Ofori
Accra, Oct. 3, GNA- Ms. Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation, has emphasised the need to adopt innovative approaches, practices, and technologies to secure the future of food.
She noted that such measures would help reduce post-harvest losses by equipping farmers with new methods and technologies.
Ms. Akosa made the call during the launch of the 14th Edition of the Pre-Harvest Agribusiness Conference and Exhibition in Accra.
The event is scheduled for Tuesday, October 29, to Thursday, October 31, 2024, at the Alhaji Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale.
The event will be held under the theme “Connecting the Unconnected – Accelerating Farmer-Buyer Connectivity to Reduce Post-Harvest Losses.”
Its goal is to tackle one of the most urgent challenges in the agricultural sector: minimizing post-harvest losses by improving market linkages.
Ms. Akosa emphasized that the future of food cannot be guaranteed without farmers adopting innovative approaches and practices.
She said that adding value to produce ws an effective way for farmers to boost sales and reduce wastage.
Ms. Akosa said that the Foundation, through its various interventions and initiatives, was helping farmers add value through innovative processing and packaging of their produce.
She noted that the Pre-Harvest event would aim to bridge the gap between farmers and buyers, ensure that farmers had the tools, knowledge, and connections needed to reduce post-harvest losses and succeed in an increasingly competitive market.
Ms. Akosa announced that the event would include various activities, such as a Farmer-to-Farmer Apprenticeship Session, Commodity Breakout Sessions, Farmer-to-Buyer Matchmaking, and exhibitions.
Mr. Christopher Gati, Deputy Director of the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, stressed that innovation and technological approaches must reach smallholder farmers, rural agribusinesses, and underserved communities who needed them the most to make a real impact.
He said that a resilient agricultural sector could be established through inclusion and connectivity.
‘‘I am confident that by working together and by connecting the unconnected and embracing innovation, we can create a thriving agricultural sector that feeds not only Ghana but is able to export the surplus to other countries,’’ he said.
Madam Rogatta Antwi-Antwi, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture, Greater Accra, stated that the emphasis on innovation and technology aligned closely with the government’s commitment to enhance the agricultural sector.
She said a significant government initiative was Phase Two of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) programme, which aimed to boost productivity, add value to agricultural produce, and improve market access for farmers.
‘‘Phase Two of PFJ embodies the innovative approaches we are celebrating today. It is helping to connect smallholder farmers to value chains, expanding access to technology, improving market infrastructure, and creating an enabling environment for agribusinesses to thrive,’ she stated.
Ms. Theresa Randolph, Country Manager of Yara Ghana, stressed the need for the government to create a stable macroeconomic environment by investing in infrastructure, providing necessary facilities, and ensuring the enforcement of regulations.
She stated that while the private sector focused on facilitating access to finance for the agricultural sector, both private and public partners must strengthen their collaborations to enhance the lives of farmers.
Ms. Randolph noted that it was essential for stakeholders to focus on transforming the food system and to ensure that improvements are maintained throughout all seasons.
Madam Sarah Rüffler, Commission Manager at the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) Ghana office, highlighted the challenge of effectively transporting produce from farms to markets while minimizing waste.
She suggested enhancing farmer-buyer connections as a solution and urged farmers and agribusinesses to take full advantage of the opportunities at the Pre-harvest event.
‘‘Let us connect, collaborate, and innovate to build a more sustainable, efficient, and resilient agricultural sector,’ Madam Rüffler said.
GNA