Farmer-based organisations in the Eastern Region have been urged to position value added products to take advantage of the local and external market at the Eastern Commodity Satellite Market Fair in Koforidua.
The Satellite Fair by the Eastern Regional Agric Directorate and Coordinating Council is to help reduce post-harvest losses and improve food security.
Over the years, several interventions and programmes have resulted in improvements of yields in some major crops in the Eastern Region but marketing through value addition was missing.
Initiated three years ago, the Eastern Commodity Satellite Market Fair links farmers to markets to enhance supply of good quality agriculture produce to small-scale processors and consumers.
A host of exhibitors from farmer-based organisations across all 33 district assemblies showcased locally based products for transaction values.
The exhibitors shared excitement about the impact of the flagship programme on their product growth.
“I am excited to be here again after the last two events,” Solomon Attipoe said. “We have developed more product lines from Begoro, a number of our product have been registered by the Food and Drug Authority. For us it’s a blessing..
Another exhibitor added, “Our local rice is Atiwa Rice, we have well packaged it to meet standards. It has nutritional values as well. Year-in year-out, sales has been good, we look forward to long-lasting relationships.”
The Eastern Regional Agriculture Director, Habiba Yussif, says the vision is to industrialise the region while ensuring products meet certified standards.
“After engaging with our farmers, we realise that marketing was a challenge for them. The satellite market seeks to build their capacity for them to have value on the produce they grow. We have invited the regulatory bodies to ensure products are certified to standards.”
She added, “Most importantly the Eastern Region is an agriculture region, the intention is to ensure we explore the opportunities we have.”
Eastern Region Minister Seth Kwame Acheampong pointed out it was critical that small-scale industries and farmer-based organisations are positioned to meet standards for transactional values.
The Food and Drug Authority and its allied agencies are leading the cause to ensure exhibitors’ products meet certified standards.
This year’s Eastern Satellite Market Fair is on the theme: “Enhancing Value Addition and Export Potential through the Eastern Commodity Satellite Market; the Role of Regulatory Bodies’.
By Yvonne Neequaye|3news.com|Ghana