6th FAGRO exhibition slated for Kumasi

The annual National Food and Agric Show (FAGRO) will be hosted in Kumasi for the first time, with president of the National Farmers’ Union of America Mr. Roger Johnson in attendance to share farming experience with Ghanaian farmers.

Briefing journalists in Accra, the Exhibition Director -- Alberta Nana Yaa Akyaa Akosa, said this year’s exhibition will be held in Kumasi to bring the event close to farmers after hosting the first five in Accra.

She said the grand opening of the event will take place in Kumasi on November 12, with the representative of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Akyempimhene Oheneba Adusei Poku, performing the opening ceremony.

The fair has attracted over 50 local and international exhibitors from USA, Brazil, Spain, Nigeria and Burkina-Faso.

The theme for this year’s event is “Sustainable Agricultural Growth and Development: Reducing Risk”, since this FAGRO is focusing energy and its activities on some schemes and technologies that can aid in reducing risk in agric businesses and farms for growth.

Nana Yaa Akyaa Akosa said they are excited at hosting Roger Johnson since the union he heads is very influential in the US lobby, and his organisation is responsible for hosting a US version of the farmer awards. Thus, it is entirely independent of government influence.

She said Roger Johnson will pay particular attention to the youth in agriculture so as to inspire and urge them to view agriculture as a business, and learn lessons that can be drawn from applying appropriate technologies.

Roger Johnson was elected National Farmers Union (NFU) 14th President in 2009, having graduated from North Dakota State University with a degree in agricultural economics. The NFU represents farmers and ranchers in all of the United States, with organised divisions in 33 states.

FAGRO provides the platform for farmers and participants to learn modern techniques of Agricultural marketing, the appropriate and modern use of farming technology, and also farm business management such as laws and policies, accessing land, water, effective production services, resource management and conservation practices.

FAGRO -- an agricultural marketing and investment institution -- has served as a medium in bringing together both local and international agricultural companies from Brazil, USA, Spain, Burkina Faso and Nigeria.