The Legacy Crop Improvement Center (LCIC) has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to AgriFair, describing the agricultural exhibition as an essential platform for strengthening Ghana’s food systems and reducing the country’s heavy dependence on imports.
Speaking at the November edition of AgriFair in Accra, Dr. Amos Rutherford Azinu, a Crop Scientist at LCIC, said the organisation considers its participation non-negotiable due to its foundational role in the agricultural value chain.
“Our job as seed people is a foundation for the agriculture value chain. So any agriculture fair that Legacy is not part of is not complete,” he said. “I can assure you, anytime these programmes are organised, even if nobody comes, we will be here.”
Dr. Azinu explained that LCIC’s motivation goes beyond business interests. He emphasised the need for Ghana to reduce its over US$3 billion food import bill, noting that this can only happen if citizens support and patronise locally grown produce.
“You can only reduce that when people patronise what we grow locally,” he stressed. “When we heard of this platform, from the very first edition in June, we came on board as sponsors because we believed it would help everyone, not just one part of the country.”
AgriFair Exceeded Expectations for LCIC
Although LCIC attended primarily to build brand awareness, Dr. Azinu revealed that public demand quickly surpassed their preparations.
“We didn’t come here mainly to sell, but on the first day we ran short of the items we brought,” he recounted. “I had to return personally with more seeds. By then I couldn’t go back home because people were still requesting for them.”
LCIC showcased improved maize seeds and a range of vegetable seeds including pepper, okra and cabbage. Despite this being the dry season—typically a low-demand period—many visitors bought seeds for backyard and family gardens.
“Now everybody is interested in growing what they eat, and that has been good for us,” he noted.
A Platform That Unifies the Sector
Dr. Azinu praised Channel One TV and Citi FM for building a platform that connects all key players across the agricultural ecosystem. His observations mirror those of other exhibitors such as Agri-Impact Limited, which has described AgriFair as a powerful connector for agribusiness visibility, innovation, and partnership building.
He encouraged Ghanaians to participate in future editions of the fair, emphasising that the long-term benefits extend beyond exhibitors.
“Even if you are not able to make it within these three days, the next time, try to be part. And when coming, bring friends and family—let everyone be part of it,” he urged.
AgriFair 2025 is powered by Channel One TV and Citi FM, with key sponsorship from the Horticulture Business Platform (HBP), Development Bank Ghana (DBG), LCIC, GIRSAL, Ghana EXIM Bank and Agri-Impact, supported by Twellium Industrial Company Limited.
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