B-BOVID launches Ghana's 1st ICT centre for agriculture
In the wake of the importance of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in addressing the challenges of small scale farmers and improving the livelihood of the rural poor, B-BOVID, a Ghanaian agro-business that is promoting a new model of social inclusive commercial farming, has launched a modern ICT centre where small scale farmers and the youth would be trained and supported to use ICT to improve productivity.
The centre will support small scale farmers to improve their production, access the market and create a platform for knowledge and information sharing. In addition, it would assist in building their capacity, reduce social isolation and make agriculture a more efficient and prosperous venture. The centre will be the first of its kind in Ghana, if not in West Africa.
Mr. Issa Ouedraogo, the Chief Executive Officer of B-BOVID, pointed out that agriculture remains central to the Ghanaian economy, adding that growth in the agricultural sector is twice as effective as reducing poverty as growth in other sectors.
“B-BOVID Limited is a relatively new transformational agro-industrial company that is promoting a new model of social inclusive commercial farming, which combines innovative agricultural practices, ecological farming and social entrepreneurship to deliver high-quality organic products, conserve the environment, promote sustainable lifeclasss, create jobs as well as reduce poverty in the rural areas,” he explained.
As part of their contribution to enhancing food security in Ghana, B-BOVID Limited and its field partner TRACTOR with support from the Ghana Rubber Estates Limited (GREL), also launched a livestock and vegetable demonstration centre.
B-BOVID also officially opened its Modern Farming Mechanization and Organic Aquaculture Centers, making it a complete centre for alternative livelihood to offer an excellent platform for knowledge sharing, networking in promoting sustainable agriculture and food security.
In this joint venture, GREL will use the premises of B-BOVID as a demonstration and training centre, where farmers in the Rubber Outgrower Plantations Project would be trained on livestock keeping and crop production. The expected outcomes are that farmers will acquire skills and adopt best agricultural practices; there would be increased food production for farmers in and around rubber growing areas.
The Managing Director of GREL Lionel Barres said GREL with over 9,000 rubber outgrowers is committed to food security hence the introduction of the initiative with B-Bovid, which will be sustained for a longer period.
Mr. David Yaro, the Chief Director of the Western Regional Coordinating Council, noted that livestock rearing and vegetable production are two very important areas of the agricultural sector which contribute significantly to the national economy. He said the centre's activities can also be seen as a way of complementing government's policies, under which the efforts of farmers are recognised on the national Farmers' Day, when the price of fertiliser is subsidised to increase production and efficiency -- thus reducing high food prices.
“Ghanaian farmers work hard, but they do not have the know-how of modern farming technology and climatic change issues; and also they are unable to produce at maximum and achieve profit levels. I have no doubt that it is the activities to institutions such as GREL and B-BOVID Limited and its partners which have contributed to the significant increase in production and export of non-traditional commodities, including vegetables. The Chief Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), Morris Seidu lauded the initiative and urged farmers in the Region to take advantage of the project to improve their yield.
Story by Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie/Radio Maxx/Takoradi