The 14th Annual Preharvest Agribusiness Conference and Exhibition has opened in Tamale to connect farmers, buyers and other service providers in the agricultural sector in northern Ghana.
The two-day conference, organised by Agrihouse Foundation and its partners, also showcased various agricultural produce and products with the goal of transforming agriculture and provide long-term market development opportunities for farmers.
It is on the theme; “Connecting the Unconnected: Feeding the Future through Innovative and Technological Approaches”.
Participants at the conference included stakeholders from the agricultural sector including farmers, agribusiness professionals, input suppliers, processors, and buyers.
Alhaji Shani Alhassan Saibu, the Northern Regional Minister, whose speech was read on his behalf during the opening of the conference, touted the region’s contribution to food security in the country, despite challenges including limited access to resources, markets, and modern farming techniques.
He urged farmers to embrace technological advancements such as precision farming, digital platforms, mobile apps, and advanced irrigation systems to increase production.
He called for collective efforts amongst stakeholders such as the private sector, financial institutions, development partners, and government to ensure that every farmer had access to the necessary tools and resources to boost production.
Alhaji Saibu commended Agrihouse Foundation for its efforts in organising the event and championing the cause of farmers.
Mr Yaw Frimpong Addo, a Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture assured the participants of efforts to increase farmers’ access to markets and finance to enhance food security and sustainability as well as promote the growth of the agricultural sector.
Madam Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, Director, Agrihouse Foundation, touched on the conference saying, “Our focus this year is on innovative approaches and technology to advance our agricultural systems building on our thematic focus of connecting the unconnected”.