Private sector support for the agric sector: AMG setting the tone
At a recent Nation Building Updates programme organized by the Ministry of Information, the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, told the nation that one of the great achievements of the government is its flagship programme, the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) programme, which has changed Ghana’s food production narrative in a progressive and wide dimension.
The Food and Agriculture Minister said that from 1.72 million tonnes of maize produced in 2016, the government’s PFJ programme has increased this figure to an impressive 3.43 million tonnes; and that the rice paddy production that was at 688,000 tonnes in 2016 now stands at 1.36 million tonnes to date, so much that Ghana now has surplus to export.
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From the Ministry of Food and Agriculture’s (MoFA’s) record, as presented by Dr. Akoto, Ghana now records surpluses that have graduated the country to a food exporting nation, exporting agricultural products to countries like Nigeria, Togo, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Niger and Mali. As much as 505,000 tonnes of various food items have been exported between 2017 and 2020.
Dr Akoto appreciates the fact that, without the contributory participation of the private sector, this laudable feat would have been difficult to achieve. This is why he uses every privileged occasion to extend invitations to the private sector for more involvement in the development of Ghana’s agric sector.
It is, therefore, from the perspective of this private sector rallying involvement in the ongoing robust development of the agricultural sector that the actions and contributions of notable sector key players like Agricultural Manufacturing Group Limited (AMG) is being appreciated today. From their production of innovative products to their practical material contribution to the enhancement of the farmer’s productive, as exhibited recently at the recent 2020 National Farmers’ Day celebration, AMG has continued to distinguish itself as a Ghanaian company poised to spare no opportunity in positioning agric in Ghana as the mainstay of Ghana’s economy.
AMG’s recent support of the Farmers’ Day celebration with GHc100,000, 1000 pieces nose masks, 10 boxes of hand sanitizers, and 1200 bags of fertilizers lends further credence to the company’s corporate desire to play a distinguishing role in advancing agriculture and the Ghanaian farmer.
It has been said and written elsewhere that the company, based on its activities on the ground, gives pro-active attention to the state of the farmer, and that they cease all opportunities to render support where they possibly could, their gesture at this year’s National Farmers’ Day attests clearly to that assertion. Apparently, that was a gesture that says, “We know globally we were all hit by the outbreak of the pandemic, however, we appreciate the relentlessness of our farmers in doing their work.” After all, farmers kept the nation going with regards to food security.
Again one would often read that the company was founded in 2012 as a promoter of different crop nutrition brands and to “impact the agric sector positively and make farmers happy”, however, just eight years into its young life, AMG has already distinguished itself as a leader in its chosen niche. It has positioned and established itself as a manufacturer, producing different innovative solutions to meet specific farmer needs, and commanding a strong local presence amongst its peers.
Today, the AMG brand has become, not just a symbol of quality, but a ubiquitous product easily accessible to farmers across the country.
Again, making reference to the Minister for Food and Agriculture’s presentation at the recent Nation Building Updates, the Minister said that fertilizer usage increased to 20 kilogrammes per hectre (kg/Ha) in 2019 from 8 kilogrammes per hectare in 2016. And, based on the impressive performance, he projected that it was possible to achieve the ECOWAS target of 30kg/Ha fertilizer usage.
Against the background of such a national testimony, it is easy to appreciate the contribution of companies like AMG in accelerating the attainment of national goals and targets set by governments for the development of agriculture.
With products such as Cocoa Nti, N.P.K Glycine Mix, NPK 25-10-10+TE, NPK 15-15-15, UREA 46% N, NPK 21-05-05+TE, NPK 27-06-06+TE, Sulphate of Ammonia, and Ammonium Sulphate Nitrate, AMG stands out as the largest Ghanaian owned manufacturer and distributor of enhanced efficiency and advanced crop nutrition performance fertilizers in the country. Consequently, the company plays a critical role in Feeding Ghana.
With a clear understanding of the needs of their market and where they are headed as a corporate entity, the company would readily tell its public that they’ll “keep improving and innovating because they are essential for achieving shared success and satisfaction that can be shared with our numerous farmers, customers, investors and other stakeholders that rely on the long-term profitability of our business.”
To ensure sustainable success and the relevance of its products and services, AMG undertakes to organize training for farmers on how their products can be used for a maximum beneficial result. By so doing, they also keep farmers up-to-date on trends, as well as on methods of applying the company’s new products.
They even go as far as offering credit facility to farmers who do not have ready cash or cannot afford to pay at a go; as well as provide extension services to their farmers and clients. These extra innovative services make the company stand out as an exemplary private sector organization that sincerely demonstrates its desire to see both a grass-to-grace wealthy farmer growth and an agricultural sector well developed to meet the government’s aspiration of achieving a thriving agric sector able to provide jobs and ensure the nation’s food security. It is by partnering farmers to be successful that more jobs are created through increased employment and creation of opportunities for agribusiness services.
Encouraged by the visible and evidential performances that allied companies such as AMG continue to exhibit, the Agric Minister is relentless in encouraging the private sector to continue to invest in Ghana’s agricultural sector, with the assurance that government is ever ready to create the enabling environment that assures maximum return on investment.