Agrihouse Foundation will on Tuesday 29th October 2024 to 30th October 2024, host the 14th Annual Pre-Harvest Agribusiness Conference and Exhibition.
The event Set to take place at the Alhaji Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale, under the theme “Connecting the Unconnected – Feeding the Future through Innovative and Technological Approaches,” will focus on strengthening market linkages, promoting technological innovations, and enhancing productivity in the agricultural sector.
Speaking at the launch, The Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa reflected on the remarkable growth of the Annual event, which was initiated under the first phase of USAID’s ADVANCE project in 2011.
Over the past 13 years, the event has evolved into a major fixture on Ghana’s agricultural calendar, fostering networking and business relationships across the agribusiness value chain.
“Since Agrihouse Foundation took over the organization of the interventional initiative in 2018, we have seen incredible growth,” Ms. Akosa noted. “Today, the event brings together thousands of value chain actors, including farmers, buyers, equipment dealers, input suppliers, financial institutions, and policymakers, all working together to build a resilient and prosperous agricultural sector.”
She further highlighted that over 100,000 value chain actors and stakeholders have participated in the Pre-Harvest event since its inception, representing various sectors such as agribusinesses, ICT, aggregators, transporters, and civil society organizations.
Theme for the 14th Edition: “Connecting the Unconnected – Feeding the Future through Innovative and Technological Approaches”
Ms. Akosa outlined the theme for this year’s event, which emphasizes the need for improved market linkages and the adoption of innovative technologies to increase productivity and ensure food security.
“Our focus this year is on bridging gaps in the agricultural value chain,” Ms. Akosa explained. “We aim to work with our partners to identify areas where connections are lacking and establish a path forward that strengthens business relationships between value chain actors.”
She stressed the importance of innovation in addressing the challenges faced by the agricultural sector, particularly in the context of climate change, market volatility, and food insecurity. “Innovation is at the heart of agricultural growth,” she said. “By incorporating technological tools like precision farming, digital platforms, and modern mechanization, we can help farmers improve productivity and build resilience.”
The 14th Annual Pre-Harvest event will feature a wide range of activities, including the Farmer-to-Farmer Apprenticeship, Farmer-to-Buyer Matchmaking, Commodity Breakout Sessions, Exhibitions, and Field Demonstrations. The event will also provide a platform for value chain actors to engage in practical sessions and demonstrations, which will educate farmers on how to leverage innovative products and services to improve farm business speed and expansion.
“With over 100 exhibitors expected to participate, this year’s event will bring together the entire agribusiness ecosystem,” Ms. Akosa stated. “From farmers and farmer groups to input dealers, financial institutions, tractor and machinery companies, government agencies, and processors – we will have a full representation of the agricultural value chain.”
She added that the field demonstrations, which will take place at Agrihouse Foundation’s Demonstration Center in Kudula, will offer participants hands-on exposure to new farming technologies and practices.
Ms. Akosa expressed optimism about the outcomes of this year’s 14th annual Pre-Harvest event, emphasizing its potential to strengthen agricultural networks, foster new business relationships, and increase the adoption of technological innovations across the sector.
“Throughout the two days event, we will facilitate important discussions between farmers and commodity buyers, allowing them to establish indicative purchase and supply terms for the upcoming harvest season,” she said. “We also aim to create opportunities for smallholder farmers to connect with larger market players, enabling them to sell their produce at competitive prices.”
Moreover, the event will place a strong emphasis on capacity building, equipping farmers with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in modern agriculture. “Participants will benefit from training in financial literacy, agribusiness management, and value chain development, which are critical to their success,” Ms. Akosa added.
In concluding she, reiterated Agrihouse Foundation’s commitment to advancing the agricultural sector through collaboration and innovation. “We believe that by connecting the unconnected and harnessing the power of technology, we can feed the future and create a more sustainable agricultural ecosystem for Ghana and beyond,” she said.
The 14th annual pre-harvest agribusiness conference and exhibitions is supported Northern Regional Coordinating Council (NRCC), GIZ EUGAP, Yara Ghana, Kanu Equipment, Horticulture Business Platform, ADB, GML Green Energy, and Farm Radio.
For more information, please contact Blessed: 0551623862 or Alberta: 0244623012, click on the link below to sign up as an Exhibitor https://forms.gle/yRdaqDgE7VNRG3VX8 .