The President of the Vegetable Producers and Exporters Association of Ghana, Dr Felix Kamassah, has called on the government to accelerate the adoption of smart agriculture in response to the growing impact of climate change on food production.
Speaking to 3Business during a tour of the revived greenhouse enclave at Dawhenya, Dr Kamassah said Ghana could no longer rely on traditional rain-fed farming systems, warning that changing weather patterns posed a serious threat to food security.
He argued that modern farming methods, particularly greenhouse technology, were essential to ensuring consistent and sustainable agricultural output.
Dr Kamassah added that, “Smart agriculture is clearly outlined in key policy documents, including the 24-hour economy proposal, The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has also emphasized this approach. If you adopt smart agriculture, chemical residues are significantly reduced because pests and diseases can be better controlled.”
According to him, shifting production into controlled environments would allow farmers to produce crops all year round, improve yields and create employment, while also boosting foreign exchange earnings through exports.
The President also noted that, “I believe this direction will go a long way in strengthening the agricultural sector, that is why we are exposing young people to the realities of modern agriculture to show them that farming is no longer about the cutlass and the hoe.”
Ghana’s agricultural sector employs a large proportion of the population and remains heavily dependent on rainfall. However, erratic weather conditions linked to climate change have increasingly disrupted planting seasons and yields, prompting calls from industry stakeholders for greater investment in irrigation, greenhouse technology and climate-smart farming practices.
