GhanaVeg aims to improve and sustain vegetable production in Ghana. The group's management launched the 2016 Ghana Vegetable Sector Business Opportunities Report at their Business platform meeting in Accra. The report provided in-depth analyses of the domestic vegetable sector; an analyses for private extension services, as well as a business case for a medium-size and a professional export farms.
It also shed light on how to combat the recent phytosanity problem, especially related to the false codling moth and white fly.
The event was on the theme: “Getting the Basics Right – Agronomic Practices and Private Extension.”
Ms Cecilia Wijgers, the Acting Netherlands Ambassador to Ghana, said with the new report, stakeholders expected that vegetable companies would have the required information to expand their businesses.
She said while the first report focused more on the export of vegetables, the current report paid much attention to post-harvest innovations.
“The report proposes options for fresh delivery systems that bring quality vegetable closer to the consumers,” she said.
Mr Joep Van de Broek, the GhanaVeg Programme Leader, said: “We want to scale up our activities so that most commercial vegetable farmers are reached by our new modules.”
He said GhanaVeg had supported a large number of agro-input companies and out-growers schemes to increase training for their farmers.
“We believe that Ghana is ready for a demand driven commercial vegetable extension service,” he said.
He encouraged stakeholders to apply for GhanaVeg funds in the area of private extension, innovation, irrigation and protected horticulture among other things.
The Business platform, which was part of a quarterly series of meetings, was attended by over 150 vegetable sector professionals.
Source: GNA/ghanabusinessnews.com
