As part of its commitment to promoting non-traditional export, the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), has presented GHS 90,000 worth of hybrid seeds to the Vegetable Producers and Exporters Association of Ghana, (VEPEAG).

The package, which includes cans of high-grade quality hot pepper cayenne, hot pepper safi and okra seeds, is intended to boost the country’s production base and consequently export volumes.

Presenting the items to executives of the Association during a ceremony at the African Trade House in Accra, the Chief Executive Officer of GEPA, Dr. Afua Asabea Asare, said GEPA’s intervention strategy is to sustain the country’s supply of non-traditional export commodities by strengthening and steadily growing its base.

“There is no use developing and promoting ‘Made in Ghana’ produce and making so much noise about it when the expected volumes are not available.”

The Ghana Export Promotion Authority has over the years provided interventions in cashew, pineapple, yam, coconut and now vegetables to ostensibly increase the supply base in order to achieve high yield to meet export demands.

The intervention comes at a time when stakeholders within the export sector, are putting measures in place to adjust to drastic changes brought about by the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic on global trade.

Receiving the seeds, the President of VEPEAG, Mr. Felix Yao Kamassah, lauded GEPA for the gesture and pledged that the leadership of the Association will oversee the effective distribution of the seeds to members while ensuring the use of best farm practices in conformity with international standards.

He called on other vegetable producers and exporters to join associations such as VEPEAG to enable them benefit from state interventions aimed at resourcing farmers to boost Ghana’s export volume.

Mr. Kamassah indicated that with the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), the supply of seeds will help farmers to increase their production to meet the export demand in new markets and position Ghana as a leading vegetable exporter.

In 2018, agricultural produce contributed 21.01% to Ghana’s total non-traditional exports coming second after processed and semi-processed products.

Source: Citinewsroom.com