The Deputy Africa Regional Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Dr Lamourdia Thiombiano has commended B-BOVID, an agri-business company operating in Western Region for its innovative and unique agricultural model.
B-BOVID seeks to promote sustainable agriculture, food security, and eliminate poverty amongst farmers.
Dr Thiombiano lauded the company's profit-sharing component, adding: “It is a difficult task for any businessman to share profit.”
He encouraged other businesses particularly in the agricultural sector, to consider the profit sharing model to improve farmers' standards of living.
Dr Thiombiano who is also Ghana's Representative of the FAO gave the commendation when he visited B-BOVID premises to familiarise himself with the operations of the company and its various models adopted to make agriculture more attractive and dignifying.
The FAO Country Director, said if the initiative of B-BOVID, are emulated and implemented on a large scale, agriculture cannot be classified as a “suffering or unpaid” job but one that comes with many opportunities for employment and wealth creation.
B-BOVID is committed to ensure climate smart agriculture, food security and poverty alleviation which in line with FAO's agenda on sustainable agriculture policy.
Dr Thiombiano said FAO would soon establish a community development centre aimed at giving integrated approach to farming.
Mr Issa Ouedraogo, Founder and Chief Executive of B-BOVID said it is worrying that farmers continue to swim in abject poverty despite their enormous contribution to the society.
He said Ghana has a super weather and soil which should enable the country to become food sufficient.
“At B-BOVID, we use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems through innovation and technology in agriculture,” he said.
The B-BOVID's model, which is the first of its kind in Ghana, runs an palm oil and palm kernel oil mill, an ICT centre for agriculture which is the first in the country, alternative livelihood centre which is the largest in the country, agricultural mechanisation centre which is the only one in Ghana's Central and Western regions, agro-eco tourism and eco-garden dubbed: “Garden of Eden,” animal husbandry, poultry and aquaculture.
Other projects currently underway include farmers shop, an organic supermarket and an organic restaurant.
Mr Ouedraogo says the company is introducing farmers particularly the youth to a modern transformative and innovative agriculture that would transform subsistence farming to commercial farming in the communities.
The company also believes in impacting practical knowledge to rural communities to create wealth, jobs, and to entice more youth into agriculture to improve on the socio-economic wellbeing of the rural communities.
The B-BOVID's concept was among the case stories during the launch of the Global Compact Network Ghana in 2014.
The award-winning company’s farm serves as a demonstration centre for those who wish to diversify agriculture especially for the rural communities and for those who want to replicate the concept.
Mr Ouedraogo said B-BOVID through its unique concept, has created jobs for more than 3,000 households in various communities, and indirectly improved the livelihoods of more than 12,000 farmers.
He said farmers obtain agricultural inputs at subsidised rate whilst first hand practical knowledge is given to the youth and farmers in the rural areas of the region.
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