Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Shani Alhassan Shaibu has encouraged the youth to go into agriculture to create secured livelihoods for themselves.
According to him, government on its part is creating an enabling environment for agriculture to thrive, but will as much, count on the productive age group to consider venturing into the field of agriculture by taking advantage of the opportunities being created.
Alhaji Shaibu said this when he launched the 13th edition of the pre-harvest agribusiness conference and exhibition at agrihouse foundation agri-village at Kudula near Bamvim in Tamale rural.
Agrihouse, together with partners such as MoFA and NGOs in the agric space, organizes the yearly pre-harvest event which is the largest platform for linking farmers, input dealers, agro-processors and various stakeholders in the agricultural landscape.
The launch which precedes the main event in October this year is under the theme; “connecting the unconnected – the farmer, the input dealer, the agri-processor.
Alhaji Shaibu said attaining food sufficiency is the pride for every nation and with enough arable land and other resources in place, the youth should feel challenged to also go into food production among other livelihoods related to agric such as agro-processing and, marketing among others.
Commenting on the theme for this year’s pre-harvest, the minister said linkages, will improve profitability and livelihoods for farmers and therefore commended agri-house for creating the platform to seeing farmers gain.
Alhaji Shaibu hoped that within the next five years, the agri-village would become a hub of innovation that will also lead to food security and sustainability for the region and the country at large.
An official of Eximbank, Madam Kadija Shani who also addressed the gathering said Eximbank, working with exporters and agro-processors will facilitate their activities and helping in their organisation and processes. She encouraged more women farmers to take advantage of the offer
The Tamale Metro Director of Agriculture, Francis Kow for his part, said through such partnerships with agri-house, farmers are being empowered through knowledge sharing which had led to increase in crop yields. He added that production quality has also improved.
In a message read on her behalf, the executive director of agrihouse, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa noted that over the years, AgriHouse has being at the forefront at transforming agribusiness landscape in the country.
According to her, the pre-harvest event also serves as a hub for forging partnerships, elevating industry practice and propelling Ghana’s agric sector to new heights.
Madam Akosa added that by acquiring a 10 acre plot at Kudula, her organization aims at modeling that space into a demonstration farm and Exhibition Park which will expand opportunities for all farmers.
Story By: Nelson Adenuti Nyadror |www.diamondfmonline.com |Ghana.
