Gov’t urged to support agric

An expert in agricultural financing has advocated increased support to the agricultural sector to boost production in the country.

Dr. Ralph Christy, Director of the Cornell International Institute for Food, Agriculture and Development, at the Cornell University, New York, made this statement in Accra at a forum organised by the Trade and Investment Programme for a Competitive Export Economy (TIPCEE).

He indicated that to appropriately modernise the agricultural sector, it requires confident executive leaders and farm managers with access to capital to augment and sustain profitable agricultural ventures.

In 2006 - 2007, the share of agriculture was five percent and four percent respectively, an indication of a low and deteriorating level of credit supply to the agricultural sector, he pointed out.

Dr. Christy, who was making a presentation on the theme ‘New Opportunities for Agro Enterprises in Ghana’ said: “New business opportunities exist for Ghana’s agricultural sector, and that could greatly impact on the nation’s development agenda creating thousands of new jobs and hundreds of millions in revenue.

“The private sector business operators need to add value to the country’s agricultural produce and develop new products to meet the growing urban needs.”

He stated that the international community has recognised the country’s agricultural produce - like cocoa, coffee, pineapple, among others - and this will inform buyers’ decision to track the products to their production centres.

“The global market place is more competitive then ever, requiring modernised agribusinesses to maintain sustainable profits.

Ghana is endowed with immense land, water and human resources, as well as technical expertise - enough to enable it increase farm produce needed to feed the country’s 22 million population.

“The country can also produce for the export market given the appropriate policies and support,” he stressed.

“Government must invest in the agriculture sector to ensure its viability and sustainability to meet the international market demand.” Dr. Christy said.

The forum, which brought together agricultural experts, government officials and private investors in the sector, was aimed at showcasing the country’s potential and opportunities in the agribusiness.

It was also meant to create a platform for private business operators to deliberate on the new markets for Ghanaian agro-enterprises, as well as identifying access to capital to promote the country’s agricultural business sector.