Managing Director of ADB, Alhaji Alhassan Yakubu-Tali
The Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) PLC has held the 15th National Farmers Forum in Accra with a focus on climate-resilient agriculture for sustainable food security.
The annual event brought together farmers, policymakers, government officials, agricultural experts, financiers, 2024 National Best Farmer awardees and other stakeholders to discuss strategies for overcoming climate challenges that threaten food security. The forum assembled key stakeholders in panel discussion sessions aimed at deepening national conversation on climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable food security in Ghana.
In his remarks, Managing Director-ADB, Alhaji Alhassan Yakubu-Tali noted that the forum’s theme, ‘Building climate-resilient agriculture for sustainable food security’, emphasises the bank’s commitment to supporting climate-resilient practices and innovations to ensure food security.
“The theme for this year’s celebration is very appropriate as it highlights the need for state and citizenry to commit in adopting better agricultural practices that address the growing challenges posed by climate change and expand productive capacity to enhance food security,” he added.
Alhaji Yakubu-Tali highlighted that the event’s focus on climate-resilient agriculture reflects a growing recognition that food security and economic stability are interwoven, adding that it also reinforces Ghana’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2, which aims to end hunger, achieve food security and promote sustainable agriculture.
“We need a robust agricultural system that empowers farmers, ensures food security and supports economic growth,” he asserted.
Investments and interventions
The ADB MD disclosed that the bank has over the past eight years strengthened its resolve to maintain commitment to its founding mandate by increasing funding for the agricultural sector.
“The bank’s investment in agriculture has seen a steady growth with total agricultural loan stock increasing from GH¢453.20million in 2016 to GH¢1.41billion as at October 2024. This figure excludes non-funded facilities such as letters of credit and guarantees granted for the purchase of agricultural inputs, machinery, equipment and raw materials,” he said.
Alhaji Yakubu-Tali stated that ADB will continue to support government interventions aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity, improving food security and engendering industrialisation and wealth creation through agriculture.
The bank is collaborating with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and other stakeholders on ongoing implementation of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PJF2) second phase, which seeks to replace the input subsidy programme with a smart input credit regime.
40th National Farmers’ Day support
The General Manager in charge of Agribusiness, Kwame Asiedu Attrams, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting Ghana’s agriculture sector with its sponsorship of the prestigious ultimate award of GH¢1million to the National Best Farmer among many other support, including the National Welcome Cocktail, Farmers Forum among others.
Over the last 15 years, Mr. Attrams, explained that the National Farmers Forum has afforded an opportunity to bring players within the Agricultural value chain together for deliberations on pressing issues within the value chain and offer workable solutions for the sector’s betterment.
“The 15th National Farmers Forum is a testament to ADB’s sustained support for Ghana’s agriculture sector, reinforcing its role as a leader in agribusiness financing and dedicated partner in the nation’s pursuit of food security, sustainable farming practices and economic resilience,” he added.
Mr. Attrams urged the 2024 National Best Farmer awardees to incorporate climate-resilient practices discussed at the forum into their own agribusiness operations in furtherance of achieving a climate-resilient agribusiness ecosystem.