Agriculture has very bright future – Adongo

Agriculture in Africa has a very bright future and is the cornerstone for the continent’s socio-economic development, Mr Augustine Adongo, Team Leader, Market Development for Northern Ghana, has said.

He said the concept of agribusiness which has engulfed the continent over the past decades, was an indication that the agricultural sector in Africa was witnessing a rapid transformation.

Mr Adongo said this in a lecture at the Agrique Africa Investment Summit 2015 in Accra.

The two-day event on the theme: “Matching Agricultural Trade and Investment Opportunities in Africa”, brought together leading agricultural players in Africa seasoned speakers all with the common goal and vision to transform Africa’s Agricultural sector.

The Agrique Africa Investment Summit 2015 is under the auspices of Welcome2Africa, headquartered in the UK.

Welcome2Africa was founded upon the vision to be a leading provider of initiatives that drive investment and trade into Africa, with a current focus on Agriculture.

Mr Adongo said despite the gains in the agricultural sector, it is still saddled with a number of challenges such as seed quality; which must be addressed quickly to ensure that farmers benefit more from their investments.

He said in this era of technological advancements, there was no reason why vegetables should rot at farm gates and that the value chain in food production and processing must be accorded the needed attention by both government and development partners.

Mr Rober Dowuena Owoo, Deputy Project Director, GCX Project, said financing is key to agricultural sector development.

He urged the youth to change their perception about agriculture and see it as a wealth-creating venture.

Mr Owoo said the agriculture sector had the potential to mitigate the unemployment situation and also serve as the key to transforming the economy.

Ms Bamidele Seun Owoola, Founder/Chief Executive Officer, Welcome2Africa, said the Investment Summit offers an invaluable opportunity for businesses with agricultural products or services to meet with agribusinesses, farmer associations, and Agricultural leaders from across Africa.

She said it afforded the investor community an excellent opportunity to view outstanding agricultural investment opportunities in Ghana.