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.
This article has 0 comment, leave your comment.