The Eastern Regional Minister, Seth Kwame Acheampong, has passionately called on farmers in the country, especially those in the Eastern Region, to move from producing for their own consumption.
According to the Minister, the Agribusiness sector holds enormous potential to foster Ghana’s economic development, hence the need for the government and key actors of the industry to have a deliberate goal to promote Agribusiness, value addition and sustainable livelihoods.
Mr. Acheampong opined that the Eastern Region, known for its fertile lands and diverse climatic conditions, is a key contributor to Ghana’s agricultural sector, as a major producer of cocoa, maize, rice, oil palm, cassava, plantains, yam and various fruits and vegetables.
“The potential for value addition in these sub-sectors is immense, making these commodities vital not only for domestic consumption but also for export, contributing significantly to the national economy.
“However, the true potential of our agricultural sector lies in value addition through processing of raw agricultural products into finished goods, leading to creating more jobs, increasing incomes and enhancing our competitiveness in both domestic and international markets,” he said.
The Minister made this observation during the launch of the 4th edition of the Eastern Commodity Satellite Market Fair (ECSMF) at the conference hall of the Regional Coordinating Council, last Wednesday.
This year’s Fair takes place at the Appenteng Hall in Koforidua, from September 2 to 6, 2024 and is under the theme: “Fostering Agribusiness Growth and Youth Development: The Role of the Eastern Commodity Satellite Market Fair.”
He explained that the 2024 Eastern Commodity Satellite Market Fair has provided a unique opportunity to align efforts with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ 2.0) Flagship Programme.
The Eastern Regional Minister continued that the PFJ 2 is designed to create sustainable employment opportunities and enhance food security through access to quality inputs, innovative practices, improved farm productivity and market expansion.
By integrating the objectives of the PFJ 2.0 programme into the ECSMF, we can provide our farmers with the resources and support needed to enhance crop yields, improve quality and access new markets.
Giving the genesis of ECSMF, the Regional Minister hinted that the ECSMF was conceived in response to a critical need identified during the 2019 Research Extension Linkage Committee planning session, where weak access to markets was pinpointed as a major constraint for farmers.
According to him, despite the significant strides in increasing agricultural productivity, farmers have struggled to find reliable and profitable markets for their produce.
Mr. Acheampong stressed that the abundance of high-quality produce from the region necessitated a platform to connect smallholder farmers and small-scale processors with structured markets, both traditional
and digital.
This, therefore, led to the birth of the ECSMF, not only as a marketplace, but as a transformative initiative aimed at enhancing the incomes and livelihoods of our agricultural community.
He disclosed that since the inception of the ECSMF in 2021, it has facilitated successful market linkages for about 13,655 farmers and small-scale processors, showcased over 60 brands of value-added products and generated an impressive estimated value of millions of Ghana Cedis.
These achievements, he underscored, are a testament to the Fair’s instrumental role as a platform for promoting agricultural innovation, value addition, market accessibility, increased incomes and economic growth in our region.
“As we look to the future, it is imperative that we focus on the next generation of farmers and entrepreneurs for a sustainable future. The youth are not only the future of agriculture but also key to unlocking the sector’s full potential,” he added.
The Regional Minister averred that the ECSMF initiative is a vital platform for youth engagement, employment, training, mentorship and exposure to cutting-edge agricultural practices and technologies.
Through it aims to empower our young people with skills, knowledge and opportunities, they need to thrive in Agribusiness, contribute to food security and drive innovation and economic growth.
In her welcome address, the Regional Director of Agriculture, Hajia Habiba Yusufu, underscored that the Eastern Commodity Satellite Market Fair is more than just an event, but a transformative platform for innovation, growth and celebration of our rich agricultural heritage.
To her, this year’s theme emphasises the shared commitment to leveraging the potential of agribusiness as a driver of economic growth and youth empowerment through the sharing of knowledge, exploring new business opportunities and strengthening partnerships.
To this, she charged the participants to seize the opportunity to learn, network and grow in order to enhance the production and quality of agricultural commodities, promoting value addition and branding, facilitating product certification, strengthening market linkages, and empowering the youth.
She disclosed that these efforts are not just about improving the local markets but rather about positioning the Eastern Region as a significant player in both the national and global agricultural landscapes.
Hajia Habiba Yusufu, therefore, called on the participants to create a vibrant, sustainable and inclusive agricultural sector that benefits all including the youth, women, people with disabilities and marginalised groups.
