Vegetable farmers in Ghana are determined to adopt modern and cutting edge methods of vegetable cultivation in order to meet high demands and export standards.
This development came in the wake of Netherlands commitment to support traditional vegetable farmers to produce in commercial quantity for export. The initiative dubbed “GhanaVeg which is being spearheaded by the Dutch Embassy in Ghana also intends to establish a sustainable and internationally competitive vegetable sector that contributes to comprehensive economic growth.
Speaking at the GhanaVeg’s maiden Business Platform Meeting held in Kumasi, the Policy Officer in charge of Trade and Agriculture at the Netherlands Embassy Mariska Lammers noted that, the Netherland’s has deepened her commitment from aid to trade to ensure a closer relationship between the two countries.
She reiterated that, her country through the GhanaVeg initiative will ensure that healthy and quality vegetables are produced in Ghana and exported to the Netherlands and across the globe.
She further disclosed the Netherlands plans to link frontrunners and other value chain players to the Dutch private sector to boost the business climate which she is confident will bring more returns to facilitate efficient markets.
The Senior Business advisor of GhanaVeg, Mrs. Sheila Assibey-Yeboah expressed worry at farmer’s inability to meet export requirements in spite of the readily available opportunities. This she said, is as a result of poor agricultural practices.
She advised stakeholders to take advantage of the opportunity to acquire innovative skills for vegetable cultivation in commercial quantities for export.
Mrs. Assibey-Yeboah who doubles as the deputy head of program, disclosed that, efforts are underway to curb the challenges faced by exporters with respect to EU market standards.
“GhanaVeg and the Government of Ghana with other stakeholders are working closely to ensure we minimize the number of notifications internally so as to free Ghana from any ban from the EU market.” She added
She urged frontrunners in the vegetable sector to take advantage and apply for available grants opportunities within GhanaVeg such as the Private Extension call, vegetable chain integration, input supply and innovative irrigation to better place the sector.
The GhanaVeg initiative which started in 2014 is in line with efforts towards prioritizing commercial agriculture as part of the Dutch Embassy’s 4-years Multi-Annual Strategic Plan.
Source : Ghnewsonline.com
