The Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture in charge of crops, Dr. Ahmed Yakubu Alhassan has charged smallholders to aggressively compete in the global agribusiness environment.
According to him, smallholder farmers can only survive in the industry, if they are efficient in value chain management and start producing the quality of produce to meet the demand of the market.
Speaking on the theme “Prospects for Ghana’s agriculture, the role of farmer based organizations (FBOs),” he indicated the readiness of the government in creating an enabling environment for farmer based organizations to operate profitably as agribusiness entities.
“Encouraging farmers to form sustainable groups (FBOs) would therefore empower them to participate in decision-making affecting their welfare in the market, and socio-political arena and increase their potential to benefit from the economies of scale inherent in operating as viable groups,” he stated.
He further noted that FBOs play important role in strengthening market access and uptake of technologies, including use of fertilizers, new plant varieties and animal breeds; agricultural mechanization, renewable sources of energy and their efficient use as well as share weather and market information.
As agribusinesses, FBOs generate employment in their communities as they constitute employment avenues and contribute towards social responsibilities.
Dr. Yakubu Alhassan said the government will continue to facilitate, promote and nurture FBOs in Ghana to be more vibrant.
The Minster said this in Kumasi when addressing the national delegates’ congress of Ghana National Association of Farmers and Fishermen (GNAFF) on the occasion to elect their national officers.
He tasked on the newly elected executives to heed to the concerns of their members and formulate policies and programs to better the lot of their members and the country at a whole.
