Yara Ghana Limited, a leading fertilizer company dedicated to promoting sustainable agriculture in Ghana, has partnered with Agrihouse Foundation for the 14th Annual Pre-Harvest Agribusiness Conference and Exhibition, as part of its mission to “Responsibly Feed the World and Protect the Planet.” This collaboration is aimed at supporting smallholder farmers by enhancing yields and boosting food security through innovative technological solutions.
Scheduled for October 29th and 30th, 2024, at the Alhaji Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale, under the theme “Connecting the Unconnected – Feeding the Future through Innovative and Technological Approaches.” This year’s conference will focus on strengthening market linkages, promoting technological innovations, and increasing productivity within Ghana’s agricultural sector.
Yara Ghana’s steadfast partnership with Agrihouse Foundation spanning over 14 years for the Annual Pre-Harvest Agribusiness Conference and Exhibition, underscores its dedication to empowering smallholder famers whiles also building a resilient agricultural value chain.
Speaking at the launch of the 14th Annual Pre-Harvest Agribusiness Conference and Exhibition , Madam Theresa Randolph, Country Manager for Yara Ghana, highlighted the importance of the partnership with Agrihouse Foundation.
according to her the interventional initiative provides a critical platform for value chain actors—including farmers, agribusinesses, policymakers, and financial institutions—to exchange ideas, share best practices, and develop solutions to the pressing challenges of food security and climate change in Ghana. This, she emphasized, aligns with Yara Ghana’s mission of supporting the agricultural sector by delivering cutting-edge agronomic solutions and fostering an environment where smallholder farmers can thrive.
she noted that Yara Ghana’s ongoing support for smallholder farmers reflects its broader commitment to sustainable agriculture. The company, aims to not only boost production but also promote environmentally responsible practices. By providing tailored fertilizers and expert agronomic advice, Yara is helping farmers optimize their resources, improve soil health, and achieve higher crop productivity.
“Yara Ghana’s dedication to empowering smallholder farmers has been particularly evident during recent global challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine-Russia war,” Madam Randolph noted. “In 2022 and 2023, Yara Ghana donated 18,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer, valued at $20 million, to support local farmers. This initiative, which provided one free bag of fertilizer for every two purchased, specifically benefited smallholder farmers, women farmers, and those living with disabilities.”
As part of their contribution to the event, Yara Ghana will lead field demonstrations and training sessions, engaging over 2000+ farmers at the 14th Annual Pre-Harvest Agribusiness Exhibition and Conference to be held at the Agrihouse Agri-village training and demonstration centre in Kudula in Tamale in the Northern Region. Their Expert agronomists will provide guidance, high-quality, crop-targeted fertilizers to support participants in producing nutrient-rich, high-quality food to strengthen local communities.
Expressing her appreciation for Yara Ghana ‘s consistent support, Ms. Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, the Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation, highlighted Yara Ghana’s pivotal role in promoting the agricultural sector. She emphasized that Yara Ghana stands out as an exemplary corporate organization that has generously supported the growth of Ghana’s agriculture sector.
“Our partnership with Yara Ghana is a source of immense pride for us at Agrihouse Foundation. Yara Ghana has consistently demonstrated its commitment to Ghana’s agricultural sector by sponsoring our Annual Pre-Harvest event for the past 14 years. This level of dedication is truly remarkable and exemplifies what can be achieved when the private sector collaborates with organizations like ours to empower our farmers and promote sustainable agriculture,” Ms. Akosa emphasized.
“We are immensely grateful to Yara Ghana for their unwavering support and commitment to this event. Their sponsorship has not only made the annual event a success but has also played a pivotal role in driving agricultural innovation in Ghana. With their support, we are able to provide a comprehensive platform that equips our farmers with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive in an increasingly competitive market.”
“This partnership represents a shared vision for a sustainable agricultural future where smallholder farmers are empowered with the latest technologies and practices,” she added. “Together, we aim to foster collaboration and innovation to address the challenges of food security and climate change head-on.”
The 14th Annual Pre-Harvest Agribusiness Conference and Exhibition promises to be a pivotal event for stakeholders seeking to drive innovation and collaboration within Ghana’s agricultural landscape.
About The Annual Pre-Harvest Agribusiness Conference and Exhibition
Agrihouse foundation’s, Annual Pre-Harvest Agribusiness Conference and Exhibitions event, for the past 13 years, have provided and created market linkages and built the capacity of over 150,000 value chain actors and stakeholders.
Beneficiaries and participants of the annual Preharvest event ranges from farmer groups, buyers, development partners, policy makers, agribusinesses, ICT professionals, and aggregators. Others include input dealers, equipment and machinery dealers, transporters, financial institutions, telecommunication companies, out growers, civil society, and processors, who converge in the Northern Region, to network, exhibit, share knowledge, train, engage in field demonstration activities and most importantly, negotiate and seal deals.
The intervention has served as a stimulating platform for match-making, exchange, agribusiness development, stakeholder linkages, and has brought about growth in local economies, through the creation of expanded agribusiness opportunities. It has also assisted in removing constraints on market access for farmers and agribusinesses who require access to lucrative markets and economic opportunities to improve their livelihoods and those of their families.
The annual Pre-Harvest event, culminates with conference events, presentations, exhibitions, and a marketplace for business-to-business meetings.
It continuous to serve as a dynamic platform for farmers to negotiate and seal contracts and strengthen the capacity of Farmer-Based Organizations (FBOs), Aggregators, Processors, and value chain actors for them to play a key role as agricultural market actors.
ABOUT YARA GHANA
Yara Ghana, is a leading fertilizer company established in 2007, to strengthen the high quality of input supply and related services along the agricultural value chains in Ghana.
Yara Ghana’s key focus have always been on providing Ghanaian farmers with knowledge, crop nutrition solutions, and digital technologies that can help them improve their yields and quality in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner. This will help farmers achieve enhanced livelihoods while contributing to local, regional, and national food production, and to ensuring Ghana’s long-term food security.
