Farmers have been advised to adopt modern technology and solutions for increased food production.
A Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, Alhaji Hardi Tufeiru, who gave the advice, said it was only through the application of agricultural technology and solutions such as the use of improved seeds, appropriate fertiliser, pest and disease control mechanisms that farmers would be able to protect their crops and maximise yields.
Event
Alhaji Tufeiru was speaking during a three-day agriculture and technology exhibition-fair at the Accra International Conference Centre. The three-day ‘Agritech West Africa 2022’ event, which saw more than 100 exhibitors from Ghana, South Africa, Egypt, Turkey, United Kingdom and India, participating was on the theme, “Agriculture modernisation and the adoption of innovative practices for good healthy food”.
It was organised by Agritech West Africa, an exhibition company in India, in collaboration with the Ministry of
Food and Agriculture.
Exhibitors included dealers in agrochemicals, agric machinery, food processing, packed food and beverages.
Commendation
The deputy minister commended the organisers of the event, the largest agriculture exhibition to be held in the country for their ingenuity in bringing agricultural solutions to farmers in the country and also exposing them to new technology and solutions to help improve food production.
According to Alhaji Tufeiru, the exhibition, which has since ended, also created an opportunity for farmers to
connect with agribusiness partners such as food producers and processers.
“Agricultural exhibitions are strategic events organised all over the world by progressive countries to promote the development of agriculture and to fast-track economic growth on a sustainable basis.
“As an emerging economy seeking to accelerate growth and ensure sustainable development, the country has no choice but to adopt modern technology and best practices around the world to complement home-grown solutions to transform the economy, he said.
Significance
For his part, the Project Director of Agritech West Africa, Mr Thomas James, who conducted the minister
round the various pavilions to interact with exhibitors, explained that the event was vital in helping stakeholders in the country’s agriculture and food processing industry to learn more about new practices, products and modern technology and innovations around the globe and adopt same to improve their trade.
For his part, the Managing Director of Callighana company, a subsidiary of the global group, UPL, Mr Bernard Buertey Okutu, expressed optimism that the fair would achieve its objective of bringing agricultural solutions to the doorstep of farmers in the country.