The Chief Executive Office of one of Ghana’s leading Agribusiness companies, Mr. Fred Kukubor has congratulated Farmers across the country for their immeasurable contribution to the country.
In an insightful congratulatory message to Farmers on the occasion of the 37th Farmers’ Day celebration, the Agribusiness Expert, whose entity provides guidance and technical advice to prospective businesses and investors interested in sourcing sustainable commodities like cocoa, coffee, cashew, mango and orange, outlined five key ways Africa’s economies can thrive and overcome their food challenges.
He noted that Sub-Saharan Africa is recorded among the highest food insecurity continent with greater percentage of its poorest countries lacking access to food.
‘‘In 2020 alone, 46 million Africans faced hunger. This translates into one out of every three people facing hunger or inadequate food,’’ the statement reads in part.
Among others, he observed that for Africans need to muster the will power to commit to change the status quo; Priorities access to finance as a catalyst for agriculture transformation; Deepen market integration first within African countries and other continents; and Understand the comparative advantage in international trade.
He also stressed on the need for African leaders to commit the necessary resources into mechanized and sustainable agricultural practices.
The CEO of Farmerglobale, the company which emerged as the Agribusiness Start-up of the Year at the 4th Agribusiness Excellence and Leadership Awards, encouraged the government to prioritize farming for nation building.
Full Speech available below:
On the occasion of 37th edition of the National Farmers Day in Ghana, 2021
Undoubtedly, food is an essential commodity for every growing economy. Indeed, before the evolution of military weapons to adduce world superpowers, food sufficiency has been used as an economic weapon to subdue other nations, from ancient times; talk of Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Indus Valley, and China etc. In modern times, food still remains an essential commodity for human survival on planet earth. Time without number, economists and development experts have said that agriculture is the backbone of every economy including cross-cutting themes like technology. This statement, however, remains a fact to only those who prioritize food in their economic agenda. We see this workout so well in developed countries through precision agriculture and industrialisation among other innovations.
Sub-Saharan Africa is recorded among the highest food insecurity continent with greater percentage of it’s poorest countries lacking access to food (in 2020 alone, 46 million Africans faced hunger, FAO) translating to some one out of every 3 people facing hunger or inadequate food. This is a big problem, and a big problem requires a big solution. For African economies to thrive and overcome it’s food challenges, requires basic but bold resource allocations;
1. The will power to commit to change the status quo and arise to the clarion call for Africa’s agriculture transformation
2. Prioritising access to finance as a catalyst for agriculture transformation and truly commit to use it for the intended purposes. In Africa, we have seen flamboyant financial mechanisms on paper but never translated on the ground.
3. Deepening market integration first within African countries and other continents. Eg ACFTA as a special purpose vehicle and not just another wishy-washy innovative ideas to waste time, money and energy.
4. Understanding and accepting the comparative advantage in international trade. Africa cannot transform its agricultural economy without its foreign partners, what’s important is to create a shared value between Africa and it’s neighbouring continents to facilitate trade balance as far as industrialization and productivity is concerned. We missed that window of opportunity way back!
5. For Africans to be truly patriotic to withhold, defend and sacrifice for the desired transformative effects required.
On this note, I wish all farmers in Ghana a happy farmers day and encourage governments to prioritize agriculture, truly, for nation building.
Here in Ghana, we say “Ayekoo” to our farmers (congratulations)
(C) Fred Kukubor
Agribusiness Expert
_Kukubor.com@gmail.com