Alhaji Iddrisu Zakari, head of the post-harvest unit at the Association of Ghana Industries, is appealing to the government to include post-harvest units in the 24-Hour Economy initiative.
This request, according to Alhaji Zakari aims to reduce post-harvest losses, improve income for farmers, and enhance value addition by extending operational hours for post-harvest activities like storage, processing, and marketing.
According to Alhaji Zakari, a significant portion of Ghana’s agricultural produce is lost after harvest due to inadequate storage, processing, and transportation.
“I will be very happy if President Mahama considers us in his Grow24 and Make24 hour economy policy to extend our operational hours for these activities to minimize losses in our agricultural sector and ensure more food reaches consumers,” Alhaji Zakari expressed.
“By reducing losses and facilitating better access to markets, farmers can potentially earn more from their produce,” he added.
In an exclusive interview on Fabea FM, Alhaji Zakari stated that the potential of the 24-hour economy could enable more efficient processing of agricultural products, creating opportunities for value-added products without any hurdles.
Alhaji Zakari also emphasized that creating an enabling environment for the post-harvest sector by the government could create more job opportunities for youth interested in agribusiness.
He appealed to the government to rehabilitate spoiled silos, noting that “more consistent access to storage facilities, potentially with machines, could allow farmers to store their produce safely for longer periods, preventing spoilage and allowing them to sell at better market conditions.”
Alhaji Zakari applauded the government’s policy to encourage businesses to operate around the clock and provide incentives for investment in post-harvest infrastructure.
In conclusion, he reiterated that integrating post-harvest units into the 24-hour economy could significantly reduce food losses, boost farmer income, and enhance overall agricultural productivity, efficiency, and job creation.
