Increase investments into horticulture industry – Minister
By Isaac AIDOO, Accra
Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr Bryan Acheampong has called for increased private sector investments into the horticulture industry to strengthen export capabilities of that industry and spur job creation.
He noted that more investments in that industry would provide more than enough foreign exchange to support the country’s local currency.
The Minister made the appeal at the climax of the 20th anniversary celebrations of Ghana’s largest banana exporter, Golden Exotics limited at Kasunya-Asutsuare in the Eastern region.
The Minister observed that with over 2000 hectares of banana plantation, annual exports amounting to 100,000 tons of bananas, and a distinguished position as one of the largest suppliers of Fairtrade Bananas to Europe, Golden Exotics had carved a remarkable niche in the agricultural landscape.
Generating over €60 million annually in foreign exchange and contributing more than €20 million to the local economy through salaries, purchases, electricity, and rent, Dr Acheampong noted that the company exemplified the transformative potential of agricultural investments.
The success story of Golden Exotics underscored the symbiotic relationship between public and private sectors in agricultural development. Leveraging government incentives and facilities, coupled with astute management and expertise, has propelled the company to great heights
“If Ghana had 20 similar projects, the ramifications for employment and economic growth would be profound, “the minister observed.
Managing Director of the company, Mr Benedict Rich disclosed that management of Golden Exotics Limited with support from its partners was leveraging technology for greater efficiency.
He disclosed that the company was harnessing the abundant energy of the sun to power operations and reduce its environmental footprint and reliance on expensive, unreliable power.
Mr Rich disclosed that Golden Exotics was had been working with the Ghanaian Civil Aviation Authority to use drones for precision agriculture.
“By leveraging drone technology we’re able to monitoring our crops more efficiently. And by using AI we’ll be able to identify areas of need and optimize our farming practices for maximum yield and sustainability. None of this development over the years would have been possible without the invaluable support of our partners, government, local chiefs, particularly the techy man family and the communities themselves,” he stated.
The MD maintained that “whilst it might not be obvious, these innovative solutions are present across the firm. You may not see for example, as you drive around, that every single banana tree is marked with a barcode so that the performance of that plant can be measured and traced.”
