National food, agric show opens in Accra
The seventh edition of the National Food and Agricultural Show (FAGRO) opened at the Accra International Trade Fair Centre yesterday, with a call on the youth to go into agriculture. Farm produce, tools and machinery are on display at various stands at the three-day show.
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Financial institutions have also mounted stands to market their products to farmers.
Exhibitors will benefit from a business plan writing training, business-to-business meetings and a field trip to a greenhouse farm.
The show is on the theme: “Preparation, Knowledge and Training = Business”.
Agriculture
The Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture in charge of Crops, Dr Ahmed Yakubu Alhassan, said agriculture remained the central instrument of the government’s efforts at reducing poverty and facilitating development in the country.
According to him, an increase in agricultural productivity could lead to a substantial reduction in rural poverty.
He said despite the protracted challenges in the global food and economic situation, which had resulted in high food prices around the world, Ghana had been spared the scourge of food insecurity.
“Ghana has come out unscathed, as our industrious farmers impressively continue to sustain production and productivity to feed our growing population and industry,” he said.
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The minister lauded Ghana’s development partners for their support towards poverty reduction and the attainment of economic growth through accelerated agricultural development.
Opportunities
Dr Alhassan said modern agriculture was now a fully realised profession and life-long vocation that was based on technological application.
Consequently, he said, agriculture had become a launch pad for the economic and social development of individuals, communities and nations.
“Agriculture, as an industry, has evolved and undergone impressive transformation to become the change maker in sustainable national development,” he indicated.
He further stated that the agricultural industry had provided many people with bountiful opportunities, benefits and prospects, irrespective of class, level of education or location.
FAGRO’s perspectives
The General Manager of FAGRO, Ms Alberta Akyaa Akosa, urged the public to go into agriculture since the country was endowed with natural resources that could improve on their fortunes and also fast-track the country’s socio-economic development.
“If we Ghanaians desire any form of sustainable national development, then a boost in agricultural production will in no small way contribute to making that dream a reality,” she said.
The Netherlands Ambassador-designate to Ghana, Mr Ron Strikker, said his country was the world’s second largest exporter of farm produce because of its huge investment and commitment to the sector.
He said The Netherlands was ready to team up with Ghana to grow the agricultural sector in Ghana.