Stakeholders want more linkages in vegetable value chain
Speakers at the second GhanaVeg Vegetable fair have called on the organisers to create stronger linkages between input suppliers, producers and processors and large-scale imports to curb the increasing productivity and chain inefficiency.
They said the country’s vegetable sector is booming with major private investments being made into the sector.
The fair is on the theme: “Promoting Quality and Healthy Vegetables for the Domestic and Export Markets.”.
Mr Papa Bartels, Director in charge of Logistics and Value Chain, Ministry of Trade and Industry speaking at the event commended GhanaVeg, the organisers of the fair for their efforts to promote quality vegetables.
The two-day event, an initiative by the Netherlands Embassy, is to improve and sustain the quality of vegetables in Ghana.
He said Ghana is making strides towards the lifting of the ban on exports and expressed hope that the country would double its exports in line with its export strategy.
He also expressed the hope that organisers would expand the fair to other parts of the country to benefit other vegetable producers.
Ms Mariska Lammers, a representative of the Netherlands Embassy, said the embassy is working with other companies to improve the production of fresh vegetables in the country.
She said Ghana had a lot of potential in the vegetable sub-sector, which could be harnessed to facilitate trade between Ghana and the EU.
Ms Lammers said the programme has done a lot of work through stakeholders to address the issues that led to the ban of the country’s vegetables by the EU but a lot of work remains to be done, especially at the farm level, involving mainly small-holder farmers.
Mr Daniel Aladi, President of Ghana Association of Vegetable Exporters, said the industry needs to be relooked at critically, factoring actions and inactions of the past.
He said the association is working hard through the support of GhanaVeg and some other organisations to build capacity and remain the strong voice required to advocate change.
This year’s event saw 35 companies including exporters, vegetable retailers, suppliers of seeds and crops exhibiting their products and services.
The companies are Eden Tree, Dizengoff, Kukobila farms, Calli Ghana, Tip top foods, Ghana Green label, MEST Technology, Agric-impact consult, farmers market, Srighan farms among others.
Source: GNA