Food And Agric Minister Opens 1st Agric Summit Tomorrow

July 6, 2015 -- Food and Agriculture Minister Fiifi Kwetey will tomorrow open the first national Agric Summit that is schedule to discuss the role of the country’s youth and women in boosting food production.

The one-day Summit which will be held at the plush La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, will have in attendance stakeholders draw from the various agricultural value chains, and will be on the theme “Further unlocking the Ghanaian Agricultural Sector: The role of Youth & Women.”

Alberta Akosa, General Manager of National Food and Agric Show (FAGRO), organisers of the event said the theme for this summit has been selected following a series of evidence pointing out that the country has an ageing farmer population.

Ms. Akosa said: “There is a compelling evidence of an ageing farmer population in the country which must be addressed to facilitate sustainability in agricultural production. Most farmers in Ghana are over 55 years and our life expectancy averages between 55-60 years.”

According to her already the country relies heavily on imported food to feed its growing population and reversing the trend will mean that the youth must take up the mantle and venture into agriculture.

“There is a lot of potential in the agricultural sector for the youth and women, but it is about identifying the right opportunities. The Youth and women are strategic to the success of any effort to boost Ghana’s food Production,” she added.

“Ghana remained largely an agricultural economy, with 56 per cent of the population employed mainly as smallholder farmers, there was the need for government and stakeholders to lead the way by moving Agriculture from subsistence to a market economy,” she said.

Commenting on the essence of the summit Ms. Akosa added that it provides an opportunity for key stakeholders such as development partners, researchers, farmer groups, government agencies and corporate leaders to look at further unlocking the sector while fostering agricultural entrepreneurship among the youth and women.

The summit will combine keynotes, panel and open discussions to capture issues impacting Ghana’s agricultural sector while presenting a unique platform for policy makers, farmers' group, researchers, government agencies and corporate entities and funders to network, exchange knowledge and gain insights into the context of youth and women's involvement in agriculture.