The Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, Yaw Frimpong Addo, has underscored the need for enhanced collaboration and connectivity in the agricultural sector.
He said connecting the farmer, the input dealer, and the processor could create more integrated and efficient system to benefits all stakeholders in the agriculture sector of the country.
The minister made the statement here in Kudula, a farming community in the Tamale Metropolis in the Northern Region, at the 13th annual pre-harvest agribusiness conference and exhibitions on Tuesday.
The conference was organised by Agrihouse Foundation on the theme: ‘Connecting the Unconnected: the Farmer, the Input Dealer, and the Processor.’
Mr Addo called for seamless flow of information, resources, and partnerships to drive innovation, enhance productivity, and reduce post-harvest losses.
He assured farmers of the government’s commitment to bridging the gaps that often existed within the agricultural value chain.
Mr Addo added that, the ministry was taking significant steps to improve infrastructure, provide access to credit facilities, and enhance extension services.
He said the effort was aimed at ensuring that farmers, input dealers, and processors and every stakeholder in the agricultural value chain were equipped with the knowledge and resources they need to thrive.
“We are also investing in research and development to boost crop yields, promote climate-smart agriculture, and reduce the impact of climate change on our food systems,” he stated.
The deputy minister also encouraged all stakeholders to actively engage in the process of connectivity in working together to foster a stronger, more resilient agricultural sector in the country.
He told the farmers and the exhibitors to collaborate to ensure that no one in the country was left behind in other for all farmers to receive the necessary inputs, and that of processors to have access to quality raw materials.
Mr Addo stated that the Agrihouse Foundation had been a beacon of progress and a catalyst for positive change within the agricultural sector.
“They have consistently brought together stakeholders from all corners of the industry to promote knowledge sharing, collaboration, and innovation,” he added.
He said the event was a testimony to their unwavering commitment to the growth and development of agriculture in the country.
Mr Addo stated that the agricultural sector was the backbone of every farmer in the country in supporting the livelihoods of millions and contributing significantly to the growth of economy in the country.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Agrihouse Foundation, Ms Alberta Nana Kyea Akosua, said the conference over the years had catalyst for unlocking the agricultural potentials of the region and the country to the extent of bringing together stakeholders in the agricultural sector to share knowledge, experience and best practices.
She said the foundation invested in building space for conference and exhibition shows strong dedication to advancing agribusinesses development and sustained agricultural productivity.
This, she said contribute to empower value chain actors in agribusinesses to building a new agricultural market linkages while strengthening existing ones in the region and the country at large.
FROM YAHAYA NUHU NADAA, KUDULA
