Ghana is a country blessed with vast fertile land suitable for agriculture, yet the sector still relies heavily on manual and conventional means of workmanship. However, the International Trade Centre (ITC) has stepped in to bridge this gap by providing digital solutions to Ghana’s horticultural sector, empowering local farmers to earn more income and boost the country’s economy.
The ITC is working with 15 Ghanaian agricultural technology companies to achieve this goal. The companies visited various horticultural farming communities and factories located in the Ashanti region over a three-day period. This visit was in collaboration with the Government of the Netherlands, East-West Seeds, and Holland Greentech. Their aim was to bring more youth into the sector by complementing the teaching of agriculture with IT.
All in all, the ITC is promoting geo-traceability data to attract investors and facilitate the export of products. By doing this, they are increasing efficiency and yields, improving livelihoods, and increasing income. The digital solutions provided will help farmers optimize their crop yield and reduce losses, which will translate into increased revenue.
According to the Deputy CEO of ITC, Dorothy Tembo, the project will have a significant impact on the economy of Ghana, especially in the horticultural sector. She said, “The ITC is committed to the economic empowerment of Ghanaian farmers through the provision of digital solutions. We believe that with the right tools and knowledge, Ghana’s horticultural sector can achieve greater heights and contribute significantly to the country’s economy.”
This project is a welcome development that will go a long way in improving Ghana’s agriculture sector. All hands must be on deck to ensure that these digital solutions are well implemented to achieve the desired results. The government must provide an enabling environment for the smooth operation of the project.
In conclusion, the ITC is empowering Ghanaian agriculture with digital solutions that will increase efficiency, yield, and income for farmers. This project is essential to the growth of the Ghanaian economy and will attract investors while facilitating the export of products. It is a welcome development that will bring significant change to the horticultural sector in Ghana.