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The Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting farmers to add value to their crops and link them to ready markets through contract farming and industrial partnerships.
She emphasised that organised farmer groups that are ready to add value will receive government support to improve processing, packaging and market access.
For those not yet prepared for value addition, she said the ministry would facilitate linkages with industries under contract and commercial farming arrangements, enabling them to supply raw materials directly to established processors.
The minister explained that different farmer groups would receive tailored support based on their production focus and business interests.
The minister made the remarks during an industrial engagement and working visit to the 1,000-acre farms of the Nyonkodo Farmers Association at Danso in the Upper West Akim District of the Eastern Region, as well as Unifruits Ltd (Zulu Farms) at Ofaso in the Ewutu Senya East District of the Central Region.
Earlier, she visited the production site of Blue Skies Ghana Ltd at Nsawam, where she interacted with management and staff before touring the facility to gain first-hand insight into the company’s operations.
Accompanied by her Deputy, Sampson Ahi, and other officials from the ministry, the minister later toured the expansive Nyonkodo farm.
The visit followed an invitation extended to the minister at an agribusiness fair in Accra in 2025, where she was impressed by the group’s initiative.
During the visit, she observed that the group was already engaged in diversified crop production and processing but required government support to scale up operations and transition into full commercial processing.
The Minister said her ministry was ready to support organised farmer groups to move beyond primary production into value addition and agro-processing.
“Today, I am here with my team to see what they are doing and to encourage them.
The most impressive aspect of their work is that they are already adding value to what they produce.
They are venturing into oil palm cultivation, producing honey, and processing gari and potatoes."
Mrs Ofosu-Adjare said she had seen the vast potential of the farm and would hold further discussions on how best the government could assist in scaling up value addition.
She commended the Nyonkodo group for their initiative and organisation, describing their efforts as a model for other farmer groups across the country.
The President of the Nyonkodo Farmers Association, Prophetess Rebecca Aboagye, visibly moved by the long distance the minister travelled to visit the farms, shed tears as she expressed profound gratitude for the gesture.
“We have many challenges, but I am not focusing on them. I know that when the minister makes a promise, she fulfils it.
We process some of our crops, but it is difficult, and that has slowed our progress,” she said.
“Our association operates in 14 regions across the country, and we cultivate different crops.
I believe the minister will provide us with the needed support to process our produce as she has promised. I want to encourage all our members to be assured that this will be our year,” she added.
The Head of Foundation, Brands Communication and PR at Blue Skies, Alistair Djimatey, described the visit as productive and encouraging, expressing management’s optimism that the issues discussed would receive the necessary government attention.
He added that, with government support and targeted interventions, Blue Skies aimed to expand its processing capacity, create more employment opportunities, and further promote Ghana’s agro-processing industry on the global stage.
