Banking system should be flexible for farmers

Israeli Ambassador to Ghana, Ami Mehl has called for a change in the banking system to support, develop and sustain the agriculture sector in the country.

“If a farmer borrows at the bank to support his business and is made to pay interest between 15-28%, then, how can the sector grow,” he asked.

According to him, the agriculture sector needs cooperation and experience from other sectors to develop as well as export for economic growth.

He said this in an interview with the B&FT when he visited the Building Business On Values Integrity and Dignity (B-BOVID) at Pretea in the Ahanta West District as part of his two -day visit in the Western Region, he commended the company for using agriculture on a small scale to develop.

The Ambassador noted that it is important to change the mindset of the people that the agriculture industry belongs to some category of people in the society- if 5-10% of the people are professionally engaged in the agriculture sector, it will help Ghana to become self-sufficient and be able to export more to boost the economy.

Poultry, for instance, should not be imported but exported into the country, this can be achieved if the farmers are supported fully – the importation of rice should cease, you have arable land, water, good soil and everything that it takes to grow the agriculture industry.

He pointed out that technology keeps on changing, it is important for farmers to be abreast with these technological changes and then apply it in their day to day activities.

He commended B-BOVID for engaging in the sector and helping the locals to sell their produce to the company- if you give them incentives, they will work harder and produce more

Mr. Issa Ouedrago, the Managing Director of B-BOVID said – if we want to promote agriculture, there is the need to take the necessary steps to achieve it.

“There should be minimal interest and long term loan to promote the sector; government, has to come in to support the sector as well as change the mind set of people towards agriculture in the country” he said.