Venture into modern farming for wealth - Volta Africa American Chamber urges youth

The Volta Africa American Chamber (VAAC) has urged the youth to venture into agriculture and take advantage of modern farming methods and fertile soils to boost food production and create wealth.

The VAAC’s mission includes creating a network hub that inspires and nurtures collaboration, partnership, team building and sustainable, friendly environments that promote growth and success.

The President of the VAAC, Daniel Agboka Dzegede, said agriculture was the strongest medium to build generational wealth and the next crop of billionaires in Africa would be farmers engaged in mechanised and commercial agriculture, as well as other lucrative niches within the agricultural value chain.

He was speaking at a forum in Ho last Wednesday as part of a five-day visit to the country by the former Secretary/Treasurer of the United Grains Council, Jay Reiners.

The visit was at the instance of the VAAC.

Mr Dzegede said modern agriculture required a range of expertise in the areas of agronomy, entomology, soil science, animal science, agricultural economists, engineers, statisticians and business analysts and markers.

He pointed out that farming was a business and not just a hard labour activity on the field.

Mr Dzegede, who is also the Executive Director of the Volta Development Forum, therefore, entreated the youth to take up modern, data-driven and technology-powered profit-oriented agriculture to create prosperity for the nation.

Appropriate tools

Earlier, Mr Reiners urged Ghanaian farmers to take advantage of the vast and fertile lands and farm with the appropriate tools to attain food security.

A co-founder of US-based non-governmental organisation, Sustainable Agriculture Solutions for Africa, Mr Reiners cited the Volta Region as a place where the soils are highly supportive of grain production, with the potential for surpluses to feed others as well.

He said with suitable farm equipment, food production in the region could reach astonishing heights, with irrigation activities and storage facilities on the farms.

“It is time Ghana took advantage of technology to embark on serious agriculture and innovations to meet the food needs of the growing population,” Mr Reiners added.

The Corporate Affairs Manager of the VAAC, Desmond Kitsi, said the chamber was committed to fostering business growth, cultural exchange and entrepreneurship development.

He said through partnerships, many doors could be opened for investment, knowledge transfer and market access to ensure that the Volta Region and Ghana in general remained a thriving hub for agriculture.

About 45 farmers, entrepreneurs, traditional rulers and members of the public attended the forum.