GHANA – The World Food Programme (WFP) and the non-governmental agricultural capacity building organisation, Agrihouse Foundation have signed a partnership to organise the 8th edition of the Pre-harvest exhibition and conference geared at supporting farmers and agro-processors.
The agreement worth US$75,000 will provide technical and financial assistance to support the programme set for October 3 to 5 in Tamale.
According to GNA, the programme engages farmers and agro-processors to expand their business opportunities, build new opportunities, improve food and nutrition security with an overall goal to foster the growth of Ghana’s agriculture sector.
The Exhibition and Conference is a business forum and an interventional platform that provides opportunities for various value chain actors in the agriculture sector to meet and discuss business contracts as well as work together as a coherent team.
Ms Rukia Yacoub, the WFP Representative and Country Director said such initiatives have a goal to ensure that enough produce is available locally for consumption thereby drastically reducing importation.
For this year’s edition of the conference, WPF will sponsor the participation of 200 farmers in the agribusiness event focusing on nutritious foods as well as supply chain in food systems and agribusiness.
According to her, the forum would highlight agro-economic opportunities to investors, policy-makers, business leaders, academic, finance professionals, key government agencies, input dealers among others.
Smallholder farmers would get the opportunity to learn about innovations and technologies, participate in trainings, exhibitions, field demonstrations and market linkages.
Speaking on the event, Alberta Nana Akyea Akosa, Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation said this year’s edition has attracted many inputs from private sector and international organizations, which would make it an exciting experience.
“We expect a much larger number of participating exhibitors and conference attendees this year, judging from the early signals we are picking up,” she said. “Agribusiness is the way to go in poverty reduction and national development.
“I am elated and grateful to the various institutions that have seen wisdom in this idea and have supported it over the years.”
