The African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP) under the AGRA SIPMA Project on the 14^th and 15^th of October 2020 held a two (2) day Agri inputs fair and stakeholder sensitization themed; synergy for agricultural transformation through the value chain approach in the Bono region of Ghana.

The event targeting over 200 participants from the Processor, input  manufacturing and supplier companies, hub and retail agro dealers, banks, investment and fund managers, Agric insurance companies, Farmers, Regional and National government institutions in charge of trade and agriculture was purposely to create awareness and sensitize stakeholders on the availability of yield enhancing inputs on the market and also create the opportunity for input companies to expand their customer base and market their products as well as create the encouraging avenue for financial institutions and their prospective clients along the value chain to meet and interact.

Participants at the opening session

The event which was structured into two sessions; lectures/product trainings and the market/ fair grounds saw the massive participation of government institutions such as the Crop Service Directorate, Plant Protection and Regulatory Services (PPRSD) and the Directorate of Agricultural Extension Services all under the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA).

During the event, Jason Scarpone; CEO / President of AFAP. Mr. Scarpone in his address reiterated that the value chain approach where all stakeholders effectively play their roles will truly lead to the desired transformation in the agricultural sector. Adding that the critical role of financial institutions, agro dealers, input manufacturing and supply companies and farmers in the effective downstream distribution of inputs is vital and urged for strengthened synergies and partnerships in the near future. He also thanked the ministry for their support and creating the enabling environment for continuous engagement, policy reforms and partnership in support of AFAPs country program management.

Dr. Victor Antwi, Head of Input Distribution and Agro dealer Development – AGRA in his speech also advocated for digital transformation to reduce the cost of transaction between farmers and Agri input dealers, this he added will shore up the confidence of financial institutions in farmers. He further added that inclusive Agriculture transformation will be achieved if the right inputs are used to increase productivity.

A participant asking question during the event

Participants at the exhibition ground