“There is an unbelievable contrast today in Africa: how can a continent with such an abundance of arable land, water and sunshine annually import food worth USD35billion? This must change,”Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB).<\/p>\n
The Ghana situation is not very different from this observation about Africa.<\/p>\n
The theme for FAGRO 2017(8th<\/sup>\u00a0National Food & Agric Show): CREATING JOBS IN AGRICULTURE \u2013NORTHERN REGION IN FOCUS \u2013is also about creating wealth from agriculture in the Northern Region.<\/p>\n For the youth to go into agriculture, it must be\u00a0profitable.\u00a0<\/strong>This starts with\u00a0farmer profitability<\/strong>, which can be attained by the enhanced productivity of the farmer. To achieve this, the farmer needs to get the\u00a0right inputs<\/strong>\u00a0at the right time with the right\u00a0technical support.<\/strong><\/p>\n In this direction, the\u00a0Yara Crop NutritionSolutions\u00a0<\/strong>which focuses on targeted fertilizer protocols for targeted crops will ensure the farmer makes the best yield to enhance his profitability.<\/p>\n This has been tested through collaborative demonstrations and research with SARI (Savanna Agricultural Research Institute) and other research institutes and on field demonstrations with farmers with proven results.<\/p>\n The government\u2019s Planting for Food & Jobs Program is a laudable program which among other things is targeting providing inputs \u2013 fertilizers, the right seeds, chemicals, and extension services to farmers.\u00a0These are critical to ensure the profitability of the farmer.<\/strong><\/p>\n The inputs must be\u00a0accessible<\/strong>\u00a0to the farmers in the hinterlands where most of the farming takes place. In the Northern Region alone, Yara Ghana, works with over 150 local partners in the fertilizer and inputs distribution chain, thus creating jobs and also making fertilizers and other inputs accessible to farming communities.<\/p>\n There is also more to be done in this area, and Yara is committed to continue its drive to support the agriculture value chain. This will create jobs In the entire value chain.<\/p>\n In the area of\u00a0technical support<\/strong>, Yara Ghana is committed to augmenting the effort of the Ministry of Food & Agriculture\u2019s extension services, which is one of the key focus areas in the governments planting for Food and Jobs Program.<\/p>\n We have 13 agronomists covering the three Northern Regions conducting farmers clinics, farmers field days, demonstrations and training farmers on best farming practices.<\/p>\n To sustain the farmer profitability and create jobs in the agricultures value chain, there need to be a\u00a0ready market<\/strong>\u00a0for the farmers\u2019 produce. There is also the need for financial institutions to have an\u00a0appetite for financing<\/strong>\u00a0the agriculture value chain.<\/p>\n –<\/p>\n By: Danquah Addo-Yobo, Managing Director, Yara Ghana Limited<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" “There is an unbelievable contrast today in Africa: how can a continent with such an abundance of arable land, water and sunshine annually import food worth USD35billion? This must change,”Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB). The Ghana situation is not very different from this observation about Africa. The theme for FAGRO 2017(8th\u00a0National […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[32,171,11],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n