By Emmanuel Kubi
Daily Guide: Sept. 29,2010
THE GHANA Agricultural Producers and Traders Organization (GAPTO) has urged financial institutions in the country not to shy away from risks associated with investing in the agriculture sector but rather embrace them and find better ways of overcoming them.
According to the association, financial institutions should absorb these risks and offer tailored solutions to address them by providing support through the construction of modernized irrigation systems where the sector would not rely solely on rain feed cropping.
Speaking in an interview on Rite FM in Somanya recently, the Secretary General of GAPTO, Haruna Agesheka said agriculture in Ghana is risky because of the rain-fed nature of the sector adding it is not a prudent way sustain the nation’s agriculture.
Agesheka said the over-dependence on rainfall has made the production of certain agriculture products unprofitable due to lean seasons and the lack of processing and storage facilities to preserve the annual glut that affects farmers.
“Because we rely on the rains all year round for farming, banks do not want to give money to people involved in onion, leafy vegetables and tomato cultivation since they will not get their profits back at the end of the day,” he lamented.
The General Secretary said because of this Ghana has to import such produce from Burkina Faso, Niger, Cote d’ ivoire and Togo during the lean season “even though Ghana has more fertile lands in abundance than these countries.”
He noted that the situation can be reversed “if financial institutions invest heavily in the construction of irrigation dams to increase productivity and sustenance.”
“Banks should not run away from the risks involved in agriculture but rather absorb the risks by ensuring that we have water throughout the whole year to grow our crops, harvest them and pay back the loans they have offered to us,” he added.
He said organizations like FAGRO, insurance companies and institution who are experts in agro risk management should be brought on board to formulate plans to reduce risks in the sector.
He noted that modern techniques in irrigation systems can be fully harnessed to the benefit of small holder farmer towards the realization of reducing poverty among them.
Mr. Agesheka also charged government to move away from conducting irrigation projects on a pilot basis into full-scale implementation.
“It is time for governments do away with pilot projects on irrigation and work hard to sustain the sector.”
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Farmers Forum With Kubi: Mills Pledges Support for Private Sector.
PRESIDENT Mills has pledged his administration’s preparedness to support the private sector to i..."
FAGRO Poised for Grand Show
By Emmanuel Kubi
Daily Guide: Sept,29,2010
THE NATIONAL Food and Agric Show (FAGRO), slated to take place in Accra from October 12-17 this year has received support from over 40 companies both international and local including media partners ready to provide financial and technical assistance for the show.
In a chat with DAILY GUIDE, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, Exhibition Director for FAGRO which will be held at the Ghana International Trade Fair Center said based on the large number of companies that have expressed their commitment to support event, it is bound to be an enormous success.
She said companies who have shown interest are operating at various levels in the agricultural value chain system ranging from manufacturing, marketing, finance and agro-chemicals to agricultural support-based organizations in the country.
They include Agricultural Development Bank (ADB), Millennium Development Authority (MIDA), Prairie Aveyime Rice, CFAO-Ghana, Yara-Ghana, Export Development and Investment Fund (EDIF), First Capital Plus and Pioneer Food Cannery.
She said others are Cottage Italia, Indomie, ACDI VOCA/ADVANS GHANA, Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement System (GHIPPS), Pepsi, Gablin Foods Limited, Borges Olive Oil, Somovision, Sigma Group, Ghana Oil Company (GOIL), Traditional Caterers Association, DOMOD Aluminum Company and Rose Aluminum Company.
Media partners for the show are Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Metro TV, Daily Graphic, Daily Guide, the Heritage, Ghanaian Observer, Business Week and Financial Intelligence. Radio stations that are onboard for the event nationwide include Choice FM, Rite FM, Skyy Power, Aseda FM, Eagle FM, Ahomka FM, Fylla FM, Lorlonyo FM, Assh FM and Ark FM.
Ms. Akosa also revealed plans for a regional food competition the between Ghana National Caterers Association and students from the National Vocational and Technical Institutions to be held in the regions. Besides the competition there will be Practical Field Demonstrations by five Agricultural Training Colleges and daily seminars which would attempt to address the myriad challenges affecting the agricultural sector.
According to the exhibition director, the increase in sponsorship for the show is an indication of the commitment from both private and public sectors to transform the country’s agricultural sector into a modern one.
She said such collaborations of stakeholders were necessary since government cannot embark upon the task of revolutionalizing the agricultural sector.
She noted further that the theme for this year’s show, “Sustainable agriculture through appropriate technology,” will offer new business opportunities in the agricultural sector for companies to invest in especially in the area of modern agricultural technologies.
Ms Akosa called on other exhibitors and stakeholders who are not yet on board to do so “so that together we can promote sustainability in our agricultural sector.”
Daily Guide: Sept,29,2010
THE NATIONAL Food and Agric Show (FAGRO), slated to take place in Accra from October 12-17 this year has received support from over 40 companies both international and local including media partners ready to provide financial and technical assistance for the show.
In a chat with DAILY GUIDE, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, Exhibition Director for FAGRO which will be held at the Ghana International Trade Fair Center said based on the large number of companies that have expressed their commitment to support event, it is bound to be an enormous success.
She said companies who have shown interest are operating at various levels in the agricultural value chain system ranging from manufacturing, marketing, finance and agro-chemicals to agricultural support-based organizations in the country.
They include Agricultural Development Bank (ADB), Millennium Development Authority (MIDA), Prairie Aveyime Rice, CFAO-Ghana, Yara-Ghana, Export Development and Investment Fund (EDIF), First Capital Plus and Pioneer Food Cannery.
She said others are Cottage Italia, Indomie, ACDI VOCA/ADVANS GHANA, Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement System (GHIPPS), Pepsi, Gablin Foods Limited, Borges Olive Oil, Somovision, Sigma Group, Ghana Oil Company (GOIL), Traditional Caterers Association, DOMOD Aluminum Company and Rose Aluminum Company.
Media partners for the show are Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Metro TV, Daily Graphic, Daily Guide, the Heritage, Ghanaian Observer, Business Week and Financial Intelligence. Radio stations that are onboard for the event nationwide include Choice FM, Rite FM, Skyy Power, Aseda FM, Eagle FM, Ahomka FM, Fylla FM, Lorlonyo FM, Assh FM and Ark FM.
Ms. Akosa also revealed plans for a regional food competition the between Ghana National Caterers Association and students from the National Vocational and Technical Institutions to be held in the regions. Besides the competition there will be Practical Field Demonstrations by five Agricultural Training Colleges and daily seminars which would attempt to address the myriad challenges affecting the agricultural sector.
According to the exhibition director, the increase in sponsorship for the show is an indication of the commitment from both private and public sectors to transform the country’s agricultural sector into a modern one.
She said such collaborations of stakeholders were necessary since government cannot embark upon the task of revolutionalizing the agricultural sector.
She noted further that the theme for this year’s show, “Sustainable agriculture through appropriate technology,” will offer new business opportunities in the agricultural sector for companies to invest in especially in the area of modern agricultural technologies.
Ms Akosa called on other exhibitors and stakeholders who are not yet on board to do so “so that together we can promote sustainability in our agricultural sector.”
Organic Fertilizer for Farmers
By Emmanuel Kubi
Daily Guide: Sept,29,2010
THE DEPUTY MINISTER for Food and Agriculture (MOFA) in charge of crops, Yaw Effa-Baffi has urged farmers, Farmer Based Organizations (FBOs) and players in the agricultural industry to consider shifting away from encouraging the use of chemical fertilizers to organic ones.
According to him, the basic idea of using fertilizers is to boost food and raw material production to feed our factories and ensure food sufficiency but the high cost of these chemical fertilizers rather increases the overhead cost of production for farmers and leave negative residual effects on the soil.
The deputy minister made the observation in a speech read on his behalf by Vesper Suglo, Director of Land Protection and Regulatory Directorate in Accra during the launch of the new organic fertilizers DI Grow Green and the DI Grow Red.
Effa-Baffi said “the cost of chemical fertilizers is about US $700 per ton using urea as the standard in inland areas like Malawi and Uganda. This price increases when transport cost is added and this is not too different from Ghana,” he said.
He was of the view that “even if fertilizers are used rather than agro forestry technologies, you must sell enough crops to pay for the cost of the fertilizer meaning other technologies such us the organic ones that require less cash and cheaper inputs is the technology to be embraced,” he added.
Mr. Effa-Baffi said it’s about time Africa and Ghana shifted from obsolete practices that destroy soil and invest in soil health so far as it is at the lowest safe option available.
“Accessing plant nutrients at lowest cost, planting fertilizer trees, nitrogen fixing leguminous trees as well as providing mineral and organic nutrients are possible sources that enrich the soil fertility.”
For Joseph Tontoh, President of VEPEAG, crops grown with organic fertilizers are always free from chemicals and toxins that affect people’s health.
“Most people are moving away from consuming food substances produced with chemical fertilizers. For this reason organic agricultural products are safe and even attract higher economic return for farmers.”
According to Tontoh, organic fertilizers leave no chemical residue in the soil after production and increases plant resistance against diseases. These characteristics he said protect smallholder farmers from spending too much on insecticides and pesticides.
He believes that adhering to the use of organic fertilizers would encourage the country’s produce industry to enter organic niche markets across the global.
DI-Grow Green and the Red organic liquid fertilizer are produced from seaweeds. They enhance crop blossoming and produce no residue in the soil after use. It has the ability of improving the soil’s water holding capacity and improves soil structure as well.
The DI-Grow Red Liquid fertilizer encourages fruit setting and therefore improves fruit yielding outputs. It also prevents flower and fruit shedding thereby maximizing output.
This family of organic fertilizers also enhances fertility in livestock and in beds.
Daily Guide: Sept,29,2010
THE DEPUTY MINISTER for Food and Agriculture (MOFA) in charge of crops, Yaw Effa-Baffi has urged farmers, Farmer Based Organizations (FBOs) and players in the agricultural industry to consider shifting away from encouraging the use of chemical fertilizers to organic ones.
According to him, the basic idea of using fertilizers is to boost food and raw material production to feed our factories and ensure food sufficiency but the high cost of these chemical fertilizers rather increases the overhead cost of production for farmers and leave negative residual effects on the soil.
The deputy minister made the observation in a speech read on his behalf by Vesper Suglo, Director of Land Protection and Regulatory Directorate in Accra during the launch of the new organic fertilizers DI Grow Green and the DI Grow Red.
Effa-Baffi said “the cost of chemical fertilizers is about US $700 per ton using urea as the standard in inland areas like Malawi and Uganda. This price increases when transport cost is added and this is not too different from Ghana,” he said.
He was of the view that “even if fertilizers are used rather than agro forestry technologies, you must sell enough crops to pay for the cost of the fertilizer meaning other technologies such us the organic ones that require less cash and cheaper inputs is the technology to be embraced,” he added.
Mr. Effa-Baffi said it’s about time Africa and Ghana shifted from obsolete practices that destroy soil and invest in soil health so far as it is at the lowest safe option available.
“Accessing plant nutrients at lowest cost, planting fertilizer trees, nitrogen fixing leguminous trees as well as providing mineral and organic nutrients are possible sources that enrich the soil fertility.”
For Joseph Tontoh, President of VEPEAG, crops grown with organic fertilizers are always free from chemicals and toxins that affect people’s health.
“Most people are moving away from consuming food substances produced with chemical fertilizers. For this reason organic agricultural products are safe and even attract higher economic return for farmers.”
According to Tontoh, organic fertilizers leave no chemical residue in the soil after production and increases plant resistance against diseases. These characteristics he said protect smallholder farmers from spending too much on insecticides and pesticides.
He believes that adhering to the use of organic fertilizers would encourage the country’s produce industry to enter organic niche markets across the global.
DI-Grow Green and the Red organic liquid fertilizer are produced from seaweeds. They enhance crop blossoming and produce no residue in the soil after use. It has the ability of improving the soil’s water holding capacity and improves soil structure as well.
The DI-Grow Red Liquid fertilizer encourages fruit setting and therefore improves fruit yielding outputs. It also prevents flower and fruit shedding thereby maximizing output.
This family of organic fertilizers also enhances fertility in livestock and in beds.
Fishing Industry Gets Regulation
By Emmanuel Kubi
Daily Guide: Sept. 1,2010
THE MINISTER of Food and Agriculture, Kwasi Ahwoi has called for collaboration among players in the fishing industry, the Police and Navy to support the implementation of the Fisheries Regulation 2010 (L.I. 1968) that seeks to thoroughly regulate activities in the fishing sector.
Mr. Ahwoi noted that the lack of a clear regulatory framework for the fishing industry had made it difficult for the resources to be properly developed, managed, regulated and fully exploited.
The minister disclosed this at the launch of the Fisheries Regulation 2010 (L.I. 1968), which was recently passed by parliament to give a legal framework and clear guidelines to major players in the industry.
Enforcement of this law, he said, would help curb pair trawling which threatens the industry, usage of poisonous chemicals, blasting of dynamites that destroys marine life and prevent people from catching premature fish and extinct species, a practice that is against international standards.
The legal document, the minister said, has provided comprehensive requirements for the acquisition and registration of vessels.
The document also offers the operators the opportunity to license their vessels, monitor and control systems to enhance the industry.
Mr. Ahwoi said measures have been put in place to import and export fish to enhance the growth of aquaculture in the country.
“Currently aquaculture and its related activities are being promoted along modern scientific lines and have been given a clear provision in the regulatory document,” he said.
These, he said, would cover fish feed producers, aquaculture researches and record-keeping methods that would help develop the sector to improve the country’s socio-economic growth.
Canoe owners, vessel, fishmongers and the Fisheries Associations of Ghana (NAFAG) at the launch applauded the efforts of the ministry and stakeholders in developing the legal document to guide the sector
They noted that its implementation should be guided by a human face devoid of undue pressure, intimidation and partiality among others that could brew confusion and uncertainty.
The Deputy Minister of MOFA in charge of Fisheries, Nii Amasah Namoale noted that government was aware of the fact that hitches that may rise during the implementation stage, adding that it would intensify education by using comprehensive awareness creation methods to enhance its smooth running.
“We are going to translate the regulatory document into local languages for those who can not read English to benefit and we would as well reach out to them by disseminating the information,” he added.
Mr. Namoale mentioned that the fishing industry contributes about 4.5 percent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and assured that government would develop the industry to improve the living conditions of the people.
Daily Guide: Sept. 1,2010
THE MINISTER of Food and Agriculture, Kwasi Ahwoi has called for collaboration among players in the fishing industry, the Police and Navy to support the implementation of the Fisheries Regulation 2010 (L.I. 1968) that seeks to thoroughly regulate activities in the fishing sector.
Mr. Ahwoi noted that the lack of a clear regulatory framework for the fishing industry had made it difficult for the resources to be properly developed, managed, regulated and fully exploited.
The minister disclosed this at the launch of the Fisheries Regulation 2010 (L.I. 1968), which was recently passed by parliament to give a legal framework and clear guidelines to major players in the industry.
Enforcement of this law, he said, would help curb pair trawling which threatens the industry, usage of poisonous chemicals, blasting of dynamites that destroys marine life and prevent people from catching premature fish and extinct species, a practice that is against international standards.
The legal document, the minister said, has provided comprehensive requirements for the acquisition and registration of vessels.
The document also offers the operators the opportunity to license their vessels, monitor and control systems to enhance the industry.
Mr. Ahwoi said measures have been put in place to import and export fish to enhance the growth of aquaculture in the country.
“Currently aquaculture and its related activities are being promoted along modern scientific lines and have been given a clear provision in the regulatory document,” he said.
These, he said, would cover fish feed producers, aquaculture researches and record-keeping methods that would help develop the sector to improve the country’s socio-economic growth.
Canoe owners, vessel, fishmongers and the Fisheries Associations of Ghana (NAFAG) at the launch applauded the efforts of the ministry and stakeholders in developing the legal document to guide the sector
They noted that its implementation should be guided by a human face devoid of undue pressure, intimidation and partiality among others that could brew confusion and uncertainty.
The Deputy Minister of MOFA in charge of Fisheries, Nii Amasah Namoale noted that government was aware of the fact that hitches that may rise during the implementation stage, adding that it would intensify education by using comprehensive awareness creation methods to enhance its smooth running.
“We are going to translate the regulatory document into local languages for those who can not read English to benefit and we would as well reach out to them by disseminating the information,” he added.
Mr. Namoale mentioned that the fishing industry contributes about 4.5 percent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and assured that government would develop the industry to improve the living conditions of the people.
Ghana’s Fish deficit Hits 460,000 Tonnes
By Emmanuel Kubi
Daily Guide:Sept.1,2010
THE CHAIRMAN of the Fisheries Commission, Mike Akyeampong has hinted that though Ghana’s fishing industry is contributing significantly to socio-economic development of the country various measures must be adopted to address the yawning deficit of about 460,000 tonnes.
Mr. Akyeampong noted that “Ghana’s annual total requirement of fish is estimated at 880,000 tonnes while annual fish production averaged 420, 000 tonnes in 2007, leaving an annual deficit of 460,000 tonnes.”
In an interview with DAILY GUIDE last week in Accra he noted that the total input in the fisheries sector in 2007 amounted to 212,945.42 tonnes, which was valued at US$262 million, stressing that “Ghana is not self sufficient in fish production.”
He was of the view that the development of aquaculture would help bridge the yawning gap.
The Ghana Statistical Service in 2002 revealed that about 2 million people, representing about 10 per cent of the nation’s population, depend on the sector for their livelihood.
It was also estimated that Ghana’s per capital fish consumption increased above the global average of 13kg per capital to about 23kg per capital in 2007.
Mr. Akyeampong noted that in view of the potential that exist in the fishing industry it would be prudent to exploit the resources as demanded by international conventions.
Specific estimates at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) indicate that 110, 000 small-scale fishermen are engaged in the marine sector with many women engaged in processing, marketing and ancillary activities.
The Chairman of the Fisheries Commission said about 71,000 people were found to be small-scale fishermen along the Volta lake with over 20,000 women operating in the marketing sector. These, he noted, point to the fact that the fishing sector supports many people, explaining that it could create more jobs for the people.
Daily Guide:Sept.1,2010
THE CHAIRMAN of the Fisheries Commission, Mike Akyeampong has hinted that though Ghana’s fishing industry is contributing significantly to socio-economic development of the country various measures must be adopted to address the yawning deficit of about 460,000 tonnes.
Mr. Akyeampong noted that “Ghana’s annual total requirement of fish is estimated at 880,000 tonnes while annual fish production averaged 420, 000 tonnes in 2007, leaving an annual deficit of 460,000 tonnes.”
In an interview with DAILY GUIDE last week in Accra he noted that the total input in the fisheries sector in 2007 amounted to 212,945.42 tonnes, which was valued at US$262 million, stressing that “Ghana is not self sufficient in fish production.”
He was of the view that the development of aquaculture would help bridge the yawning gap.
The Ghana Statistical Service in 2002 revealed that about 2 million people, representing about 10 per cent of the nation’s population, depend on the sector for their livelihood.
It was also estimated that Ghana’s per capital fish consumption increased above the global average of 13kg per capital to about 23kg per capital in 2007.
Mr. Akyeampong noted that in view of the potential that exist in the fishing industry it would be prudent to exploit the resources as demanded by international conventions.
Specific estimates at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) indicate that 110, 000 small-scale fishermen are engaged in the marine sector with many women engaged in processing, marketing and ancillary activities.
The Chairman of the Fisheries Commission said about 71,000 people were found to be small-scale fishermen along the Volta lake with over 20,000 women operating in the marketing sector. These, he noted, point to the fact that the fishing sector supports many people, explaining that it could create more jobs for the people.
Gov’t Encourages Fertilizer Use
By Emmanuel Kubi
Daily Guide:Sept.1,2010
GOVERNMENT has encouraged farmers to change from fertilizer application of 8kg per hectare to 20kg per hectare, which is an approved standard by NEPAD for countries in the sub-region.
Most farmers are ignorant about the proper application of the correct amount of fertilizers per hectare to boost their yield.
In an exclusive interview with DAILY GUIDE, Justice Amoah, Deputy Director of Field Service, who doubles as the Desk Officer for Fertilizer Supply System, said that lack of education, high cost of fertilizers, among others contribute significantly to the low fertilizer application that affect production.
This, according to him, has been a source of worry to government, adding that some of the farmers obtain the coupons and hide them while others divert the coupons from getting to the actual beneficiaries.
According to Mr. Amoah, government has decided to introduce the Waybill system, explaining that fertilizer companies would have to import, clear the fertilizers from the ports, pay all charges and deliver them to the designated regions and districts.
“We would therefore pay the recommended subsidy per 50kg after sales upon presentation and reconciliation of the relevant waybills presented by the companies after its authentication by regional or district directors of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture,” he said.
He noted that government’s fertilizer subsidy programme for the 2010 farming season was 100,000 metric tonnes at the cost of GH¢32 million.
GH¢ 6.5 is paid for clearing, GH¢ 5.00 for transport and GH¢.5 for incidentals totaling GH¢ 17.00 for NPK.
This means that government is paying GH¢ 17.00 out of the approved price of GH¢27.00 for 50kg bag of NPK fertilizer.
For Urea, government pays GH¢ 6.5 for clearing, GH¢5.0 for transport and loading while GH¢ 3.5 goes for the incidentals adding up to GH¢15.00, which is the subsidized amount out of the approved selling price of GH¢25.00.
With regard to Sulphate of Amonia, GH¢6.5 is paid as clearing charges, GH¢5.0 for transport and loading and GH¢4.5 for incidentals totaling GH¢16 out of the approved selling price of GH¢18.00 irrespective of which part of the country they find themselves.
In countries like Latin America 99kg is applied per a hectare, 109kg/ha in South Asia and 149kg/ha in East and South East Asia.
Daily Guide:Sept.1,2010
GOVERNMENT has encouraged farmers to change from fertilizer application of 8kg per hectare to 20kg per hectare, which is an approved standard by NEPAD for countries in the sub-region.
Most farmers are ignorant about the proper application of the correct amount of fertilizers per hectare to boost their yield.
In an exclusive interview with DAILY GUIDE, Justice Amoah, Deputy Director of Field Service, who doubles as the Desk Officer for Fertilizer Supply System, said that lack of education, high cost of fertilizers, among others contribute significantly to the low fertilizer application that affect production.
This, according to him, has been a source of worry to government, adding that some of the farmers obtain the coupons and hide them while others divert the coupons from getting to the actual beneficiaries.
According to Mr. Amoah, government has decided to introduce the Waybill system, explaining that fertilizer companies would have to import, clear the fertilizers from the ports, pay all charges and deliver them to the designated regions and districts.
“We would therefore pay the recommended subsidy per 50kg after sales upon presentation and reconciliation of the relevant waybills presented by the companies after its authentication by regional or district directors of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture,” he said.
He noted that government’s fertilizer subsidy programme for the 2010 farming season was 100,000 metric tonnes at the cost of GH¢32 million.
GH¢ 6.5 is paid for clearing, GH¢ 5.00 for transport and GH¢.5 for incidentals totaling GH¢ 17.00 for NPK.
This means that government is paying GH¢ 17.00 out of the approved price of GH¢27.00 for 50kg bag of NPK fertilizer.
For Urea, government pays GH¢ 6.5 for clearing, GH¢5.0 for transport and loading while GH¢ 3.5 goes for the incidentals adding up to GH¢15.00, which is the subsidized amount out of the approved selling price of GH¢25.00.
With regard to Sulphate of Amonia, GH¢6.5 is paid as clearing charges, GH¢5.0 for transport and loading and GH¢4.5 for incidentals totaling GH¢16 out of the approved selling price of GH¢18.00 irrespective of which part of the country they find themselves.
In countries like Latin America 99kg is applied per a hectare, 109kg/ha in South Asia and 149kg/ha in East and South East Asia.
Accra Grows vegetables
By Emmanuel Kubi
Daily Guide:Sept.15, 2010
Over 1000 people are engaged in the cultivation of vegetables in Accra in the Greater-Accra region.
However, the region is not noted for vigorous agricultural activities.
Vegetables from the Accra plains form over 35 per cent of the total vegetables consumed by people in and around the metropolis.
Most of these farms are located along the Volta River Authority (VRA) high tension lines that lead through Dzorwulu Plant Pool, Sapemang, Ashiaman, Tema to Kakasunanka.
They cultivate letus, onion, Sweet pepper, okra, Irish potatoes, cucumber, carrots, among others.
One of such farmers is Abdul Wahab who commenced the cultivation of vegetables after the death of his father, Alhaji Iddrisu Sandal, who used to be the Chairman for the Vegetable Growers Association in the 1980s.
Wahab, a member of the Plant Pool Vegetable Growers Association (PPVGA), in an interview with DAILY GUIDE on Monday, stated that the business had been lucrative in the past, but could not state his annual turnover.
Calling for regular training for members of the PPVGA, Wahab revealed that before 1986 successive governments did not address the problems of vegetable growers, explaining that President Rawlings selected some members of the association including his father and sent them to North Korea to study the application of farm inputs and general methods of producing vegetables.
“Now we are forced to use treated water to grow the vegetables making cost of production very high because the water bodies around us have been polluted,” he noted.
He urged government to provide them with wells to address the inconsistent flow of water to their farms and stop the usage of treated water which is more expensive.
On market availability, Wahab observed that they do not have any problem with sales during the off seasons, stressing that sales were low during the months of August and September because most foreigners to travel to their countries for holidays.
He therefore called on the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and all other related organizations to educate Ghanaians on the nutritional values of vegetables.
According to him, “Though vegetables are nutritious and good for human health, most Ghanaians do not eat vegetables regularly. May be they do not know that it’s good for their body,” he said.
He appealed to authorities in the industry to help them acquire the requisite modern equipment to enhance their work.
A trader, Madam Mary Odametey expressed the hope that vegetable growers would remain in business since according to her, they all form part of the value chain in the agricultural sector.
Daily Guide:Sept.15, 2010
Over 1000 people are engaged in the cultivation of vegetables in Accra in the Greater-Accra region.
However, the region is not noted for vigorous agricultural activities.
Vegetables from the Accra plains form over 35 per cent of the total vegetables consumed by people in and around the metropolis.
Most of these farms are located along the Volta River Authority (VRA) high tension lines that lead through Dzorwulu Plant Pool, Sapemang, Ashiaman, Tema to Kakasunanka.
They cultivate letus, onion, Sweet pepper, okra, Irish potatoes, cucumber, carrots, among others.
Wahab, a member of the Plant Pool Vegetable Growers Association (PPVGA), in an interview with DAILY GUIDE on Monday, stated that the business had been lucrative in the past, but could not state his annual turnover.
Calling for regular training for members of the PPVGA, Wahab revealed that before 1986 successive governments did not address the problems of vegetable growers, explaining that President Rawlings selected some members of the association including his father and sent them to North Korea to study the application of farm inputs and general methods of producing vegetables.
“Now we are forced to use treated water to grow the vegetables making cost of production very high because the water bodies around us have been polluted,” he noted.
He urged government to provide them with wells to address the inconsistent flow of water to their farms and stop the usage of treated water which is more expensive.
On market availability, Wahab observed that they do not have any problem with sales during the off seasons, stressing that sales were low during the months of August and September because most foreigners to travel to their countries for holidays.
He therefore called on the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and all other related organizations to educate Ghanaians on the nutritional values of vegetables.
According to him, “Though vegetables are nutritious and good for human health, most Ghanaians do not eat vegetables regularly. May be they do not know that it’s good for their body,” he said.
He appealed to authorities in the industry to help them acquire the requisite modern equipment to enhance their work.
A trader, Madam Mary Odametey expressed the hope that vegetable growers would remain in business since according to her, they all form part of the value chain in the agricultural sector.
Mills Pledges Support for Private Sector.
By Emmanuel Kubi
Daily Guide:Sept.15,2010
PRESIDENT Mills has pledged his administration’s preparedness to support the private sector to invest in agriculture in order to make it more attractive.
He noted that the agricultural sector forms a pivotal part of Ghana’s economy and would be given the needed attention.
He said it is evident that many Ghanaian businessmen are not rich enough to take care of themselves and remain competitive, adding, “We will support these players in the sector to make them the real engine of growth to propel the economy.”
President Mills disclosed these last Thursday when he and his guest, President Teodoro Mbasogo of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea jointly inaugurated the SIDALCO fertilizer factory, which is located along the Accra-Tema Motorway.
President Mills promised to support the agenda of President Teodoro Mbasogo to improve the agricultural sector of Equatorial Guinea.
He observed that agriculture has been the main backbone of most African economies and stressed the need to develop and foster intra-trade to ensure food security on the continent.
The visit of the Equatorial Guinean President to Ghana was aimed at strengthening the bilateral ties between the two countries, which started during the tenure of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president.
President Mbasogo was hopeful that the two nations would use agriculture as the starting point to deepen relations, adding that it would encourage other African countries to intensify economic independency and self-sufficiency.
He said his country would learn from Ghana’s experience in agricultural development, noting that they have decided to diversify the economy from the over reliance on oil to develop the agricultural sector since oil resources are not renewable.
“The only way for African nations to maintain their sovereignty is to break all sorts of dependency with their colonial past and promote intra African trade and the exchange of goods and services,” he emphasized.
David Lamptey, a former Member of Parliament (MP) and his wife, Aku Shika established Sidalco company in 1998, which is currently producing chemical fertilizers, weedicides and other farm equipment in the country in commercial quantities.
According to Mr. Lamptey, “Though it was very challenging in the 1990s to establish this company, we were able to overcome the challenges and that is what has brought us this far,” he sad.
Sidalco has grown over the years into a $70 million venture with the capacity to export their products to other West African countries
Daily Guide:Sept.15,2010
PRESIDENT Mills has pledged his administration’s preparedness to support the private sector to invest in agriculture in order to make it more attractive.
He noted that the agricultural sector forms a pivotal part of Ghana’s economy and would be given the needed attention.
He said it is evident that many Ghanaian businessmen are not rich enough to take care of themselves and remain competitive, adding, “We will support these players in the sector to make them the real engine of growth to propel the economy.”
President Mills disclosed these last Thursday when he and his guest, President Teodoro Mbasogo of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea jointly inaugurated the SIDALCO fertilizer factory, which is located along the Accra-Tema Motorway.
President Mills promised to support the agenda of President Teodoro Mbasogo to improve the agricultural sector of Equatorial Guinea.
He observed that agriculture has been the main backbone of most African economies and stressed the need to develop and foster intra-trade to ensure food security on the continent.
President Mbasogo was hopeful that the two nations would use agriculture as the starting point to deepen relations, adding that it would encourage other African countries to intensify economic independency and self-sufficiency.
He said his country would learn from Ghana’s experience in agricultural development, noting that they have decided to diversify the economy from the over reliance on oil to develop the agricultural sector since oil resources are not renewable.
“The only way for African nations to maintain their sovereignty is to break all sorts of dependency with their colonial past and promote intra African trade and the exchange of goods and services,” he emphasized.
David Lamptey, a former Member of Parliament (MP) and his wife, Aku Shika established Sidalco company in 1998, which is currently producing chemical fertilizers, weedicides and other farm equipment in the country in commercial quantities.
According to Mr. Lamptey, “Though it was very challenging in the 1990s to establish this company, we were able to overcome the challenges and that is what has brought us this far,” he sad.
Sidalco has grown over the years into a $70 million venture with the capacity to export their products to other West African countries
Stop Underfunding Agriculture –Kofi Annan
By Emmanuel Kubi
Daily Guide:Sept.8,2010
The former United Nations (UN) Secretary-General and the Chairman of the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), Kofi Annan has urged African leaders to fund agriculture and commit themselves to solving the food and economic crises on the continent.
According to him, “If Africans would ever be capable of feeding themselves in the future then the time has come to help pull out the 300,000 Africans who are under the devastating effects of hunger and poverty.”
He said Africans have the potential to overcome the huge challenges of poverty and hunger and transform agriculture into an engine of economic development.
He added that African leaders must adopt pragmatic policies and look for strong partnerships to enable them harness the full potential in the agric sector for the betterment of their people.
Kofi Annan made these observations at African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) held in Accra last week.
It is estimated that over one million people across the globe are faced with severe hunger out of which 300,000 people are affected on the African continent.
He noted that “the problems seem to be systemic and so should involve fundamental changes in government’s priorities and policies to strengthen food value chains that engage people at all stages.”
Kofi Annan also commended AGRA for taking the giant step to lead the African Green revolution, which according to him, was very dear to his heart.
He urged various organizations involved to educate farmers on the application of fertilizer, stressing that AGRA is on course to strengthen farmer’s access to market and also train them in market functions,
Mr. Annan said 40,000 banana growers in Uganda and Kenya have earned over $10 million in the past three year.
He called for massive investment in agriculture infrastructure on the continent, adding that Africa needs over US $39 billion annually to archive the full economic potential.
He said farmers need money just like other business men and must be supported by the concerned financial institutions.
The Prime Minister of Tanzania, Mizengo Peter Pinda said the time has come for Africa to develop policies to develop on her own terms.
He explained that modern agriculture requires technology, improve crop varieties, irrigation and good fertilizer applications.
He noted that though the challenges in the agric sector are huge there must be a way forward as emphasized in the 2008 World Bank report.
“Making African agriculture competitive will depend on getting the policies right, strengthening agricultural institutions and increasing investments in the agricultural sectors. Agriculture in Sub-Sahara Africa is a strong option spurring growth, overcoming poverty and enhancing food security.”
Daily Guide:Sept.8,2010
The former United Nations (UN) Secretary-General and the Chairman of the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), Kofi Annan has urged African leaders to fund agriculture and commit themselves to solving the food and economic crises on the continent.
According to him, “If Africans would ever be capable of feeding themselves in the future then the time has come to help pull out the 300,000 Africans who are under the devastating effects of hunger and poverty.”
He said Africans have the potential to overcome the huge challenges of poverty and hunger and transform agriculture into an engine of economic development.
He added that African leaders must adopt pragmatic policies and look for strong partnerships to enable them harness the full potential in the agric sector for the betterment of their people.
Kofi Annan made these observations at African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) held in Accra last week.
It is estimated that over one million people across the globe are faced with severe hunger out of which 300,000 people are affected on the African continent.
He noted that “the problems seem to be systemic and so should involve fundamental changes in government’s priorities and policies to strengthen food value chains that engage people at all stages.”
Kofi Annan also commended AGRA for taking the giant step to lead the African Green revolution, which according to him, was very dear to his heart.
He urged various organizations involved to educate farmers on the application of fertilizer, stressing that AGRA is on course to strengthen farmer’s access to market and also train them in market functions,
Mr. Annan said 40,000 banana growers in Uganda and Kenya have earned over $10 million in the past three year.
He called for massive investment in agriculture infrastructure on the continent, adding that Africa needs over US $39 billion annually to archive the full economic potential.
He said farmers need money just like other business men and must be supported by the concerned financial institutions.
The Prime Minister of Tanzania, Mizengo Peter Pinda said the time has come for Africa to develop policies to develop on her own terms.
He explained that modern agriculture requires technology, improve crop varieties, irrigation and good fertilizer applications.
He noted that though the challenges in the agric sector are huge there must be a way forward as emphasized in the 2008 World Bank report.
“Making African agriculture competitive will depend on getting the policies right, strengthening agricultural institutions and increasing investments in the agricultural sectors. Agriculture in Sub-Sahara Africa is a strong option spurring growth, overcoming poverty and enhancing food security.”
Farmers Receive Support
By Emmanuel Kubi
Daily Guide:Sept.8,2010
ABOUT 2,200 rural agro dealers in Ghana have benefited from a 2.5 million dollar credit facility from the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and the International Centre for Soil Fertility and Agricultural Development (IFDC).
The facility is to support agro dealers and 150 seed producers to increase agriculture productivity, incomes and wellbeing of about 850,000 smallholder farmers in Ghana.
Dr Kofi Debrah, Country Representative of IFDC disclosed this in Accra last Tuesday.
He said the project seeks to increase smallholder farmers’ productivity and rural incomes in Ghana by making inputs available and accessible to rural farmers and link them to the market.
Dr Debrah noted that the project would provide credit through credit guarantee programme to agro dealers.
The three-year project, which started in October 2008, is expected to end in the last quarter of 2011.
Interventions by AGRA particularly to link farmers to market would help remove the frustrations farmers go through in selling their produce and boost farmers’ desire to increase productivity to meet the country’s food requirements.
The “Ghana Agro-Dealer Development (GADD)” project would also help increase the availability, accessibility, quality and affordable agro-inputs and seed in rural areas for sustainable agriculture.
Dr Debrah observed that about 30 per cent of farmers on the continent have access to improved seeds for cultivation.
“With the training programmes organised for the association twice a year, we have insight into office management practice and more education on agro-chemicals and its uses”.
AGRA is a partnership working across Africa to help millions of small-scale farmers and their families lift themselves out of poverty and hunger.
Its programmes are based on developing practical solutions to boost farm productivity and incomes for the poor while safeguarding the environment.
AGRA advocates for policies that support its work across all key aspects of the African agricultural value chain - from seeds, soil health and water to markets and agricultural education
Daily Guide:Sept.8,2010
ABOUT 2,200 rural agro dealers in Ghana have benefited from a 2.5 million dollar credit facility from the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and the International Centre for Soil Fertility and Agricultural Development (IFDC).
The facility is to support agro dealers and 150 seed producers to increase agriculture productivity, incomes and wellbeing of about 850,000 smallholder farmers in Ghana.
Dr Kofi Debrah, Country Representative of IFDC disclosed this in Accra last Tuesday.
He said the project seeks to increase smallholder farmers’ productivity and rural incomes in Ghana by making inputs available and accessible to rural farmers and link them to the market.
Dr Debrah noted that the project would provide credit through credit guarantee programme to agro dealers.
The three-year project, which started in October 2008, is expected to end in the last quarter of 2011.
Interventions by AGRA particularly to link farmers to market would help remove the frustrations farmers go through in selling their produce and boost farmers’ desire to increase productivity to meet the country’s food requirements.
The “Ghana Agro-Dealer Development (GADD)” project would also help increase the availability, accessibility, quality and affordable agro-inputs and seed in rural areas for sustainable agriculture.
Dr Debrah observed that about 30 per cent of farmers on the continent have access to improved seeds for cultivation.
“With the training programmes organised for the association twice a year, we have insight into office management practice and more education on agro-chemicals and its uses”.
AGRA is a partnership working across Africa to help millions of small-scale farmers and their families lift themselves out of poverty and hunger.
Its programmes are based on developing practical solutions to boost farm productivity and incomes for the poor while safeguarding the environment.
AGRA advocates for policies that support its work across all key aspects of the African agricultural value chain - from seeds, soil health and water to markets and agricultural education
URBANET Cries for Farmers
By Stephen Zoure
Daily Guide:Sept.23/09/2010
RASHID ZAKARIAH, Programmes Coordinator of Urban Agricultural Network, an NGO says government’s quest to enhance Ghana’s food security will be an exercise in futility if small holder farmer based organizations (FBOs) are not involved in formulating the nation’s agric policies.
He observed that small holder FBOs in Ghana have made little contribution at consultative fora that seek to boost the nation’s food security and thereby called for a reverse of the situation.
Rashid Zakariah whose organization URBANET has been very instrumental in ensuring that urban agriculture is integrated into national policies raised this concern during an interaction with the media when he spoke on the topic “Enhancing Ghana’s food security-the way forward” in Tamale.
He complained that there has been too much political interference in the distribution of farming machinery and inputs to various political interest groups over the years and this in his estimation has worsened the plight of small holder FBOs in the country.
Rashid Zakariah disclosed that URBANET has since its establishment in 2003 created about 113 small holder FBOs and that they have gained access to the technical knowhow of using agronomic practices to improve their farming activities.
He commended Action-Aid Ghana for being URBANET’s major financier in the areas of providing credit facilities, skill training and direct marketing avenues for small holder FBOs in the northern region as a means of minimizing post harvest losses.
The northern region of which Tamale is the regional capital is described as the food basket of Ghana yet about 75% of the region’s population is very poor.
Despite the establishment of numerous poverty reduction strategies by successive governments and development partners like Action-Aid Ghana and URBANET to reverse the trend, the value remains the same.
URBANET was established in 2003 as a coalition of farmer based associations with the major priority of partnering with NGOs and government agencies to improve upon urban agriculture and food security in urban centers of the northern region.
Daily Guide:Sept.23/09/2010
RASHID ZAKARIAH, Programmes Coordinator of Urban Agricultural Network, an NGO says government’s quest to enhance Ghana’s food security will be an exercise in futility if small holder farmer based organizations (FBOs) are not involved in formulating the nation’s agric policies.
He observed that small holder FBOs in Ghana have made little contribution at consultative fora that seek to boost the nation’s food security and thereby called for a reverse of the situation.
Rashid Zakariah whose organization URBANET has been very instrumental in ensuring that urban agriculture is integrated into national policies raised this concern during an interaction with the media when he spoke on the topic “Enhancing Ghana’s food security-the way forward” in Tamale.
He complained that there has been too much political interference in the distribution of farming machinery and inputs to various political interest groups over the years and this in his estimation has worsened the plight of small holder FBOs in the country.
Rashid Zakariah disclosed that URBANET has since its establishment in 2003 created about 113 small holder FBOs and that they have gained access to the technical knowhow of using agronomic practices to improve their farming activities.
He commended Action-Aid Ghana for being URBANET’s major financier in the areas of providing credit facilities, skill training and direct marketing avenues for small holder FBOs in the northern region as a means of minimizing post harvest losses.
The northern region of which Tamale is the regional capital is described as the food basket of Ghana yet about 75% of the region’s population is very poor.
Despite the establishment of numerous poverty reduction strategies by successive governments and development partners like Action-Aid Ghana and URBANET to reverse the trend, the value remains the same.
URBANET was established in 2003 as a coalition of farmer based associations with the major priority of partnering with NGOs and government agencies to improve upon urban agriculture and food security in urban centers of the northern region.
Ghana Meat Deficit Hits 70 %
By Emmanuel Kubi
DAILY GUIDE: Sept. 23, 2010
ERNEST Yeboah Darkwah, Assistant Farm Manager of the Nungua Livestock Breeding Station (LBS) in Accra has stated that the lack of agricultural insurance, higher lending rates from banks and the inflow of cheaper meat products from abroad have been the main cause of Ghana’s inability to meet her meat requirements.
According to him, indigenous Ghanaian farmers are able to produce only about 30 percent of the nation’s total meat demand leaving a 70 per cent deficit due to the lack of fertile ground for them to operate. “It’s about time we see actual insurance companies reaching out to our farmers, ready to augment their businesses when there is a disaster. That way the financiers would become more confident in supporting these farmers to do better.”
Mr. Darkwah disclosed this in an interview with DAILY GUIDE in Accra Monday saying the disparity was due to the lack of confidence by financial institutions with regards to financing local farmers to invest heavily in their agro projects as a business that would enable them meet the demand targets.
On the livestock breeding station which was established in 1938, he said their main mandate was to “breed the large white pigs, domesticate grass cutters, rabbits and poultry and supply these breeding stocks to farmers who would then multiply them.”
He said free training farmers would “take them through best practices that would help them not to cheaply lose their supply stock to preventable diseases, help ensure food security and reduce poverty in the country.”
Darkwah said piggeries have proven over the years to be very profitable because the animals’ ability to withstand diseases (hardy), thereby cutting down on vaccination cost when modern best practices are followed.
According to him, the general overhead cost of pig production is also low and the availability of the markets contributes to its profitability.
The Nungua Livestock Breeding Station has a very good breeding capacity and is “currently supplying not less than 1000 piglets per annum to other smallholder livestock farms across the country,” he said.
He said compared to ruminants which produce red meat, pigs produce white meat which is medically proven to be good for the human body.
“Even the fat in pork is better than that of beef and mutton,” he added. Pigs are also an efficient converter of feed to meat which is also a very good source of protein and energy for the body.
Mr. Darkwah also noted that poor operation of the value chain system in Ghana is not helping most farmers and consumers.
He therefore emphasized on the need to create an efficient and sustainable value chain system that takes care of everyone within it.
Mr. Darkwah lamented over the poor performance of the poultry industry in Ghana due to unfavorable and unfair competition from foreign imports. “Currently most poultry farmers either produce to meet occasions like Christmas or start layer farms, producing eggs because broilers and cockerels are no longer favoring them.”
He said the due the aforementioned problems, LBS is producing over 30,000 cockerels under a government subsidy for local farmers which they keep under less intensive feeding.
Other livestock stations around the country include Kintampo in the Brong Ahafo region, Ejura in Ashanti region, Amrahia in Greater Accra, Babile in the Upper West region and Pong Tamale in the Northern region. They are all charged with the same responsibility of providing stock breeds for smallholder farmers.
DAILY GUIDE: Sept. 23, 2010
ERNEST Yeboah Darkwah, Assistant Farm Manager of the Nungua Livestock Breeding Station (LBS) in Accra has stated that the lack of agricultural insurance, higher lending rates from banks and the inflow of cheaper meat products from abroad have been the main cause of Ghana’s inability to meet her meat requirements.
According to him, indigenous Ghanaian farmers are able to produce only about 30 percent of the nation’s total meat demand leaving a 70 per cent deficit due to the lack of fertile ground for them to operate. “It’s about time we see actual insurance companies reaching out to our farmers, ready to augment their businesses when there is a disaster. That way the financiers would become more confident in supporting these farmers to do better.”
Mr. Darkwah disclosed this in an interview with DAILY GUIDE in Accra Monday saying the disparity was due to the lack of confidence by financial institutions with regards to financing local farmers to invest heavily in their agro projects as a business that would enable them meet the demand targets.
On the livestock breeding station which was established in 1938, he said their main mandate was to “breed the large white pigs, domesticate grass cutters, rabbits and poultry and supply these breeding stocks to farmers who would then multiply them.”
He said free training farmers would “take them through best practices that would help them not to cheaply lose their supply stock to preventable diseases, help ensure food security and reduce poverty in the country.”
Darkwah said piggeries have proven over the years to be very profitable because the animals’ ability to withstand diseases (hardy), thereby cutting down on vaccination cost when modern best practices are followed.
According to him, the general overhead cost of pig production is also low and the availability of the markets contributes to its profitability.
The Nungua Livestock Breeding Station has a very good breeding capacity and is “currently supplying not less than 1000 piglets per annum to other smallholder livestock farms across the country,” he said.
He said compared to ruminants which produce red meat, pigs produce white meat which is medically proven to be good for the human body.
“Even the fat in pork is better than that of beef and mutton,” he added. Pigs are also an efficient converter of feed to meat which is also a very good source of protein and energy for the body.
Mr. Darkwah also noted that poor operation of the value chain system in Ghana is not helping most farmers and consumers.
He therefore emphasized on the need to create an efficient and sustainable value chain system that takes care of everyone within it.
Mr. Darkwah lamented over the poor performance of the poultry industry in Ghana due to unfavorable and unfair competition from foreign imports. “Currently most poultry farmers either produce to meet occasions like Christmas or start layer farms, producing eggs because broilers and cockerels are no longer favoring them.”
He said the due the aforementioned problems, LBS is producing over 30,000 cockerels under a government subsidy for local farmers which they keep under less intensive feeding.
Other livestock stations around the country include Kintampo in the Brong Ahafo region, Ejura in Ashanti region, Amrahia in Greater Accra, Babile in the Upper West region and Pong Tamale in the Northern region. They are all charged with the same responsibility of providing stock breeds for smallholder farmers.
Post Harvest Loss threatens Food Security
By Emmanuel Kubi
THE PRESIDENT of the National Farmers and Fishermen Award Winners Association of Ghana, Phillip Abayori has hinted that high costs of agricultural inputs such as fertilizers, agro chemicals, lack of improved seed and inadequate warehousing facilities, have largely accounted for 40 percent of post harvest losses.
He said the situation could worsen for smallholder farmers and affect the country’s productivity in the coming years if the current trend of agricultural financing is not reversed.
Mr. Abayori made the appeal Tuesday during the Invest in Ghana 2010 seminar organized by the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) in Accra.
He revealed that agricultural financing and credit advances to the sector this year was only one per cent, a development he described as bad for productivity. Consequently, he charged the banks, government, MDGs and investors in the private sector to come on board to help change the trend towards the attainment of food security for Ghana.
He also called of on farmer-based organizations (FBOs) to forester prudent partnerships with foreign investors to give agricultural business a new face.
Urging financial institutions especially the banks to increase finance and credit to the agricultural sector to boost productivity, Mr. Abayori called on investors to consider investing in areas like irrigation technology, equipment, post harvest management, agricultural insurance, the establishment of a national agricultural fund and an export trade house abroad to increase confidence in the sector.
He said sustaining and improving on the country’s 6% agricultural growth means “there is the need for a merger of medium and large-scale agriculture into a highly productive and efficient sector, ready to achieve and sustain the 6 percent annual growth rate over the medium term. This is crucial to enhance a broad-based agricultural growth capable of reducing poverty and accelerating economic growth.”
According to him the current production was achieved by the nation’s smallholder farmers who constitute 60 percent of the productive workforce.
“Even with the inadequate funding of 1 percent from banks, the agriculture sector has been able to produce 1,620,000 metric tonnes of maize per annum, 391,000 metric tonnes of rice, 351,000 metric tonnes of sorghum, 113,000 metric tonnes of soya beans, 485,000 metric tonnes of groundnuts, and 12,231,000 metric tones of cassava,” the president noted.
On poultry, he said about 32,000,000 birds at 1.5 kilograms were produced amounting to 48,000 metric tonnes while there was low productivity for livestock and a fisheries deficit of 460,000 metric tonnes.
Ghana has 5 main agro-ecological zones. These include a rain forest, deciduous forest, transitional zone, coastal savannah and northern savannah.
With a total land area of 23,853,900 square kilometres and an agricultural land area of 13,628,179 square kilometres, Ghana’s land under cultivation is 5,300,000 square kilometers.
THE PRESIDENT of the National Farmers and Fishermen Award Winners Association of Ghana, Phillip Abayori has hinted that high costs of agricultural inputs such as fertilizers, agro chemicals, lack of improved seed and inadequate warehousing facilities, have largely accounted for 40 percent of post harvest losses.
He said the situation could worsen for smallholder farmers and affect the country’s productivity in the coming years if the current trend of agricultural financing is not reversed.
Mr. Abayori made the appeal Tuesday during the Invest in Ghana 2010 seminar organized by the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) in Accra.
He revealed that agricultural financing and credit advances to the sector this year was only one per cent, a development he described as bad for productivity. Consequently, he charged the banks, government, MDGs and investors in the private sector to come on board to help change the trend towards the attainment of food security for Ghana.
He also called of on farmer-based organizations (FBOs) to forester prudent partnerships with foreign investors to give agricultural business a new face.
Urging financial institutions especially the banks to increase finance and credit to the agricultural sector to boost productivity, Mr. Abayori called on investors to consider investing in areas like irrigation technology, equipment, post harvest management, agricultural insurance, the establishment of a national agricultural fund and an export trade house abroad to increase confidence in the sector.
He said sustaining and improving on the country’s 6% agricultural growth means “there is the need for a merger of medium and large-scale agriculture into a highly productive and efficient sector, ready to achieve and sustain the 6 percent annual growth rate over the medium term. This is crucial to enhance a broad-based agricultural growth capable of reducing poverty and accelerating economic growth.”
According to him the current production was achieved by the nation’s smallholder farmers who constitute 60 percent of the productive workforce.
“Even with the inadequate funding of 1 percent from banks, the agriculture sector has been able to produce 1,620,000 metric tonnes of maize per annum, 391,000 metric tonnes of rice, 351,000 metric tonnes of sorghum, 113,000 metric tonnes of soya beans, 485,000 metric tonnes of groundnuts, and 12,231,000 metric tones of cassava,” the president noted.
On poultry, he said about 32,000,000 birds at 1.5 kilograms were produced amounting to 48,000 metric tonnes while there was low productivity for livestock and a fisheries deficit of 460,000 metric tonnes.
Ghana has 5 main agro-ecological zones. These include a rain forest, deciduous forest, transitional zone, coastal savannah and northern savannah.
With a total land area of 23,853,900 square kilometres and an agricultural land area of 13,628,179 square kilometres, Ghana’s land under cultivation is 5,300,000 square kilometers.
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