Chairman of ISP, Africa, Dr. Shermal Perera
Africa has the potential to replicate Malaysia’s success in the plantation sector by adopting sustainable agricultural practices, according to Dr. Shermal Perera, Chairman of the Incorporated Society of Planters, Africa (ISP Africa).
Speaking at a news conference in Accra, Dr. Perera emphasized the critical role of planting and sustainable agriculture in ensuring food security and economic growth on the continent.
“The plantation sector in Malaysia has been a significant contributor to the country’s economic growth and development,” Dr. Perera stated.
“We believe that Africa can replicate this success story by adopting sustainable agricultural practices.”
Dr. Perera highlighted the importance of investing in knowledge-sharing and technology transfer to promote sustainability in agriculture.
He noted that the ISP’s primary focus is to advance the technical and managerial knowledge of planters while advocating for appropriate legislation and industry publications.
ISP Africa is set to host a major event themed “AgriUnity: Empowering Sustainable Agriculture in Africa” from May 22-23 in Accra.
The event aims to equip smallholder farmers with the necessary knowledge and expertise to enhance sustainable agriculture practices.
Delegates from Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Europe, the USA, and several African countries will attend.
The event will feature presentations, discussions, and networking opportunities, providing a platform for stakeholders to exchange knowledge and best practices.
The Vice Chairman of ISP Africa, Dr. Fatai Afolabi, emphasized the importance of long-term investment in agriculture, calling for increased capacity development, infrastructure, and technology.
“Africa has enormous agricultural potential, but we need to take agriculture seriously and adopt it as a practice,” Dr. Afolabi stressed.
“We need to invest in capacity development, infrastructure, and technology to enhance productivity and sustainability.”
Chris Foli, Chairman of ISP Africa’s Ghana Chapter, underscored the need to prioritize commercial agriculture and food processing to ensure affordability and sustainability.
He emphasized that producing affordable, processed food through training and commercial agriculture should be a priority for Africa.
“We need to add value to our agricultural products and make them competitive in the global market,” Foli stated.
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