The Executive Director of Agri-Impact Consult, Mr. Dan
Acquaye has challenged government to focus more
on the Agric sector, which has the potential of creating 10,000 jobs annually
with little investment. The revelation was made during a two-day training
program sponsored by the Skills Development Fund (SDF) and organised by
Agri-Impact Consult (AIC) for young farmers
from across the country at the Kama conference center in Accra. Explaining the
potential in the industry, Mr. Acquaye wondered why the country spends 60
Million Dollars annually to import onions an investment that can create 10,000 jobs for young farmers, each with an annual income
of 6,000 Dollars. Currently Ghana is the second highest tomato paste
importer in the World whiles tomato factories have insufficient raw materials
to process. He could also not understand why Ghana should be importing Green
Beans and Lettuce that have only six weeks gestation period. Mr. Acquaye
indicated that government alone cannot provide the needed value chain finance
required for agricultural development and called on government to attract
domestic private investors to deepen investment in production, processing,
logistics and service delivery to build on infrastructures that have been
provided by government. He entreated government to create an environment and
clearly outline the processes to foster public-private partnership, reducing
the frustrations private sector encounter in attempting to partner government.
Participants lamented on the high cost of fertilisers and other farm inputs,
which makes their produce expensive. They called for the setting up of storage
facilities in the major markets in the country, as vegetables have a very short
shelf life. They also requested government to intensify support for
technology transfer, research and business development.
Source Joy
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