The Embassy of Israel will on Tuesday, March 3 hold breakfast meeting for government officials, agricultural companies, farmers, agro-processors, financial and investment institutions.
Major players in the agricultural field would meet to deliberate on the prospects, elimination of post-harvest losses and projections of participation in the upcoming Agritech 2015 in Israel.
Public Diplomacy Coordinator of the Embassy of Israel, Mr Seth Owusu-Mante said in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency at the weekend.
Agritech is one of the world’s most important exhibitions in agricultural technologies.
This year’s event will be held from April 28-30, 2015 at the Israel Trade Fairs and Convention Center in Tel Aviv.
According to the statement, the breakfast meeting will feature a keynote delivery by Dr Moshe Azencot, a renowned Israeli agronomist who has vast experience working in developing countries.
“Agrictech 2015 will focus on Post-Harvest and Food Security as the world is currently witnessing far changes in the agriculture industry due to the influences of nature such as climate change, depleting natural resources and economic factors,” it said.
It added that Ghana was no exception to that status quo and warned that the conditions would continue to exert influence on crop production.
“This situation prompts the need for an investment in post- harvest systems which are quite diverse, depending on the place, crop or products and the different stages of activity involved,” the statement said.
Thus, the 2015 Agrictech will create one platform needed for the presentation and examination of high technology yet practical in post-harvest methods and processes.
The statement quoted Israeli Ambassador to Ghana, Sharon Bar Li, as saying Ghanaian agricultural companies, the government and individuals should participate in the event.
She said: "Israeli Agricultural Technology is offering innovation, creativity and adaptability to varying challenges.
“In Ghana, it is estimated that more than half of agricultural output is lost annually. Israel and Ghana can join forces to face the challenges of post-harvest losses and create food security and self-sufficiency.
The agrictech conference and exhibition is held in Israel once every three years.
According to the statement, the last conference held in 2012 attracted 35,100 visitors including agriculture ministers and exhibitors across the globe.
Approximately 16 per cent of the visitors were from Africa, 25 per cent from India and 24 per cent from Europe, it said, adding this year’s conference is expected to attract a larger patronage.
