FAGRO 2010 to start in October

Accra, March 31, GNA - Ms Hannah Tetteh, Minister of Trade and Industry on Wednesday launched the second National Food and Agricultural Show dubbed: "FAGRO 2010," in Accra.

The show on the theme: "Sustainable Agriculture Through Appropriate Technology," is the second in the edition. It is expected to host more than 400 exhibitors, comprising farmers, manufacturers, agro-processors, producers and investors from October 12 to October 17.

The show is to project, modernise, and move agriculture to a highly commercial level.

Ms Tetteh called on stakeholders to collaborate to make agriculture attractive to all and sundry, especially the youth. She said because agriculture continued to be an important part of national development, people should be encouraged to take up the venture as an essential aspect of national life. Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Deputy Minister of Information called for the separation of agriculture as a subject in the school curricula to encourage students to choose it as a profession. Mr Philip Abayori, Chairman of FAGRO Advisory Board, said agriculture was the bedrock of Ghana's economy and contributed 34 per cent of Gross Domestic Product.

He said FAGRO was instituted because of the problems associated with the marketing and promotion of agricultural produce and facilitate post harvest management and technologically driven production. Mr Abayori said expected exhibitors at FAGRO 2010, would include farmers, fishermen and other stakeholders from the 10 regions as well as Africa, Europe and Asia. It would also offer an opportunity to scientists, engineers, agricultural institutions, buyers, exporters, dealers and suppliers of agro inputs and machinery to showcase their talents and inventions in the quest to address problems and challenges facing the agricultural sector. Ms Alberta Nana Akyea Akosa, Exhibition Director said FAGRO sought to promote Ghana's traditional foods and assist in making agriculture attractive for the youth. Mr Paul Agyiri, Acting Deputy Managing Director, Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) said the fair should alert all stakeholders in agriculture about the state of the industry and do more to uplift it. He said ADB would continue to be the main agricultural financing institution in the country, notwithstanding the perception that the bank was drifting away from its primary focus. 31 March 10