Deutsche Gesellschaft for Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)under the Market Oriented Agriculture Programme (MOAP), in collaboration with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) and the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council (UWRCC), has held the maiden ‘Agribusiness Fair and Conference’ in Wa in the upper west region.
The Fair, which began on March 14, 2019 with a moderated conference, discussed thematic areas which include infrastructure, Agri-finance, as well as Marketing and Youth in agriculture crucial for unleashing the agricultural potential of the region. The conference was followed by a grand exhibition to showcase agricultural innovations, technology and products as well as promote B2B networking among agribusiness industry players and relevant stakeholders.
The fair created a networking and marketing experience that will boost agribusiness in the region with substantial potential for increased productivity, income and jobs along the value chain.
The event was the result of collective efforts and active partnership between the Government of Ghana, the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council, the German cooperation and the European Union, and was organized by GIZ, as part of the MOAP.
It formed part of a larger agricultural programme in the Upper West Region, promoting a holistic approach involving all stakeholders, private and public, under the leadership of national and decentralised structures.
Supported by three programmes- MOAP, Resilient Agriculture against Climate Change (REACH) and productive investments programme, it aims at having a greater impact on poverty reduction by contributing to increased annual incomes of small holder farmers’ households, securing permanent jobs in the supported value chains, and sustaining natural resources.
The theme for this maiden event was “Exploring Agribusiness Opportunities for investment in the Upper West Region.” Delivering his key note address at the conference, a Minister of State at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Dr Nurah Gyelle urged farmers in the region to take agriculture as a business to improve their living conditions and to create employment for the teaming unemployed youth in the country.
According to him, government has intensified investment in agriculture and related sectors since 2017 to increase productivity, create jobs and improve incomes. This he said began with the introduction of government’s flagship agricultural initiative known as “planting for food and jobs.”
BY: LILIAN D. WALTER
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