Govt urged to provide right incentives for farmers
The Chairman of the Avnash Industries Ghana Limited, Mr A.K. Mirchandani, has asked the government to provide the right incentives to farmers under its flagship agricultural initiative, the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ).
Lauding the initiative, he said its success will depend on the government’s ability to provide the right incentives for farmers to expand their operations.
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“My belief is that, the agricultural sector is the future of the country and if the government can provide the enabling environment for it to grow, prosperity will come to the people.
“This could be done by ensuring that producers of industrial raw material, specifically farmers are motivated to increase their production capacity,” Mr Mirchandani said in an interview with the media after he received two awards at the sixth edition of the Made-in-Ghana Awards (MIGA) in Accra on August 30.
He said the agricultural initiative introduced by the government would help encourage the public sector to spearhead the consumption of locally made products and create jobs for the youth.
“I commend the government on its flagship agricultural initiative which is expected to ensure self-sufficiency, while encouraging the public sector to spearhead the consumption of locally made products,” he said.
Awards
Mr Mirchandani was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the sixth edition of the Made-in-Ghana Awards (MIGA).
The award was in recognition of his strong entrepreneurial acumen and sustained belief in the Ghanaian economy, a passion that has led to the creation of three leading agro-processing businesses close to two decades, making it the most formidable agro-processing company.
At the same event, the Royal Farmers’ Rice, a brand of the Avnash Industries Ghana Limited, was also adjudged the Best Quality Agro Food Product of the Year.
Commenting on the awards, Mr Mirchandani said, “I think the award is a great thing to have; obviously I am a fortunate person. I must also encourage the organisers of this awards that seeks to encourage people. I think it is right for people to be encouraged.”
Going forward, he asked the government and the public sector institutions to spearhead the promotion of local products and services to curb the over reliance on the importation of similar items unto the Ghanaian market.
“With rice for instance, this year, we bought 20,000 tonnes of paddy rice from farmers valued at over GHȼ25 million; if every agency should decide to buy Ghana rice, then we are willing to procure 100,000 tonnes, and the more we produce, the more the price of rice will come down.
“The farmers will also expand their production and more people will be employed. We need such support from the government to grow,” he said.