GGC moves to increase grains production

The Ghana Grains Council (GGC), has moved to open up market opportunities to boost grains production with the launch of the maiden annual Southern Ghana pre-harvest agribusiness fair in Kumasi.

It is meant to provide the platform for farmers, buyers and other agribusinesses to build stronger relationships to grow and expand their economic activities.

The fair, which officially opens on Thursday, March 03, is a collaboration between the GGC and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

It would be held under the theme “Quality sells more” and would bring together, farmers, commodity buyers, processors, transporters, input dealers, mechanization service providers and financial institutions.

Mr. Gideon Aboagye, Executive Director of the Council, told a media briefing that there would be an exhibition of tractors and farm equipment, processing equipment, feed products, advisory services and financial products tailored towards agriculture financing.

There would also be market place sessions where buyers and sellers would interact, leading to signing of contracts and the development of lasting business relationships.

Mr. Samson Konlan, a food security expert with the USAID, said the Agency was working together with the GGC through its Agricultural Development and Value Chain Enhancement (ADVANCE) programme to strengthen the grain industry.

The goal of ADVANCE is to substantially raise maize, rice and soybean production through increased market access and trade.

He hinted that the programme had reached out to 53,176 smallholder beneficiaries with quality seeds and financial support and said 45 per cent of the figure was women.