Agrihouse Foundation in partnership with the Northern Regional Coordinating Council have slated Tuesday, October 29 to Thursday, October 31, 2024, as dates for the 14th Edition of the Pre-Harvest Agribusiness Conference and Exhibition, set to take place from at the Alhaji Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium, Tamale in the Northern Region.
This year’s event, themed “Connecting the Unconnected – Accelerating Farmer-Buyer Connectivity to Reduce Post-Harvest Losses, “aims to address one of the most pressing challenges in the agricultural sector: reducing post-harvest losses through enhanced market linkages.
In a statement the Executive Director, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, emphasized the significance of the annual event , stating, “The Pre-Harvest Agribusiness Conference and Exhibitions have become a cornerstone of Ghana’s agricultural calendar, providing essential support to farmers and agribusinesses.
According to her the annual Pre-Harvest Agribusiness Conference and Exhibitions have, over the past 13 years, evolved into the largest market linkage platform in Ghana, successfully connecting over 197,000 farmers to markets. This event has consistently provided a conducive environment for establishing new partnerships and promoting agribusiness, with a strong focus on fostering sustainability and growth in the sector. This year, we aim to build on this legacy by offering even more opportunities for learning, networking, and business development.
”This year, we are particularly focused on bridging the gap between farmers and buyers, ensuring that our farmers have the tools, knowledge, and connections they need to reduce post-harvest losses and thrive in an increasingly competitive market. We are excited to continue building on the success of previous years and look forward to another impactful event.” she remarked
This fourteen edition will feature several key components designed to empower farmers, improve market access, and enhance agricultural productivity which includes a Farmer-to-Farmer Apprenticeship Session which will offer practical training module where experienced field representatives will guide selected farmer groups, including Farmer-Based Organizations (FBOs), Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), and women-led groups aimed at strengthening farmers’ abilities to manage machinery, equipment, and agricultural inputs, thereby enhancing productivity and creating new market opportunities.
There will also be a Commodity Breakout Sessions which seeks to provide focused training and capacity building to farmers tailored to specific crops such as maize, soybeans, rice, cowpeas, groundnuts, and vegetables. These sessions will offer farmers in-depth knowledge and practical skills that are directly applicable to their agricultural activities, ensuring that they are better equipped to meet market demands and increase yields.
The Farmer-to-Buyer Matchmaking component will serve as the event’s central deal-making platform, where farmers can present their produce, engage in pricing discussions, negotiate contracts, and secure deals with buyers. Last year, this matchmaking session facilitated 53 contracts valued at USD 189,000, connecting farmer groups with buyers interested in a wide range of produce including rice, maize, millet, sorghum, soybeans, groundnuts, yams, and tubers.
The Exhibitions segment will showcase a diverse range of participants from various sectors including farmer groups, input and seed dealers, financial institutions, equipment and machinery companies, and more. Last year’s event recorded 122 exhibitors and attracted over 2,797 visitors, and this year’s event is expected to see a 45% increase in exhibitor
Agrihouse Foundation invites stakeholders across the agricultural value chain to partner as sponsors or exhibitors in this significant event, which continues to play a critical role in promoting agricultural education, innovation, and community engagement. For more information, or to register as a sponsor or exhibitor, please contact Joseph at 0570246813 or Alberta at 0244623012.
