Tamale, Oct. 20, GNA – Agrihouse Foundation has organised its 11th annual pre-harvest agribusiness conference and exhibition in Tamale to improve on market channels for foods in the northern region.
The event supported by YARA Ghana, Ecobank, Agricultural Development Bank and other partners was to connect all stakeholders with innovative opportunities within the agriculture sector.
It Had as its theme, “Working Together to Improve Market Channels for Agri-foods Beyond the Pandemic.”
Mrs Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation, said the event was to promote sustainable agricultural initiatives, and increase use of innovation and technology to help build modern agricultural sector.
She called on stakeholder institutions to work together to enhance financial support for farmers, processors, inputs and allied industries to develop resilient market activities, for food to be affordable and accessible to the people to promote the country’s economy.
Mrs Akosa urged government to build the capacities of players in the agriculture sector to adopt best farming practices to increase their yields and produce quality foods.
Alhaji Alhassan Shani Shaibu, Northern Regional Minister, stated that “Agriculture is the backbone of Ghana’s economy, and it accounts for over 74 percent of northern Ghana’s employment, yet, the rich and diverse agricultural potential of this region remains untapped.”
He urged the private sector to support players in the agriculture, especially in northern Ghana to enhance food production to reduce poverty.
Mr Dan Sackey, Managing Director of Ecobank Ghana, said Ecobank had shown commitment by supporting a farmer-based organisation with membership of 1,800 out of which 45 percents were women, to cultivate 1,970 acres of maize to meet supply needs of Yedent group of companies last year, and added that Ecobank’s financing also directly impacted input supplies of weedicides, pesticides, fertilizers, tractors and other farm implement suppliers.
He gave assurance that Ecobank would continue to work with farmers to augment food security in the country.
GNA