India's agricultural progress inspires Ghana

Democracy is a powerful system that allows citizens to shape policies impacting their lives. India, the largest democratic nation, exemplifies democratic governance, serving as a valuable model for others, including my country, Ghana. Democracy requires citizens to respect the law while providing a platform for healthy debate and idea exchange, enabling every citizen and professional to voice their opinions and suggest policy improvements. It is a system which is crucial to support agriculture, which forms the foundation of a country and a society.

In non-democratic countries, criticising the government can lead to retribution, silencing stakeholders, preventing constructive feedback, and halting any progress. Peace, safety, and a welcoming business environment are essential for investments and economic growth. A lack of democracy hinders investment, people’s work, and market scenario due to the inability to openly discuss and address policy concerns. 

India's thriving economy, particularly in agriculture and agri-tech, therefore, becomes a reflection of its democratic effectiveness. Entrepreneurs’ readiness to invest in India is because of the environment wherein they can register businesses, follow protocols, and operate transparently, demonstrating how democratic freedom fosters national growth. Other countries can adopt this model to ensure citizen participation in national development. In Ghana as well, a proud democratic country in Africa, farmers can express concerns and seek government collaboration through media and demonstrations. This freedom is a fundamental benefit of democracy, allowing citizens to voice concerns and commendations, driving progress in various sectors.

India, with one of the world's largest populations, has made significant agricultural strides. Advancements in technology, beneficial policies, and the development and distribution of hybrid seeds are key lessons for Africa. India's agricultural progress serves as an inspiration for countries looking to enhance their practices. Much like India, owing to a conducive environment because of democratic governance, Ghana has also been on an incredible journey towards food sufficiency. In recent years, the country has made tremendous progress locally and is on the verge of closing the gap in food production. This remarkable growth in Ghana can be attributed to a concerted effort in raising awareness and encouraging young people to pursue careers in agriculture. Various events have been organised to mentor and guide them in finding their niche within the industry. Women, in particular, have played a crucial role, stepping up in areas of value addition and marketing.

Gone are the days when farming in Ghana relied solely on traditional methods like the cutlass and hoe. Today, as you travel across the length and breadth of the country, you’ll see a new wave of corporate individuals engaged in commercial farming, employing mechanised methods. This modernisation has significantly boosted food production. The "Planting for Food and Jobs" programme, launched four years ago, has provided substantial support to farmers, including free seeds and imports, helping improve yields and livelihoods. Despite these successes, work remains on the international front. Ghana's progress suggests it's only a matter of time before it achieves international food sufficiency like India already has.

Ghana and India, both, demonstrate valuable lessons in boosting food production and achieving food security, offering insights that can benefit both developing and developed nations. For example, if I were to visit India, I would focus on three key areas: the methods and technologies used in both commercial and smallholder farms, the value addition and processing techniques for harvested food, and the policies empowering farmers, especially women.

Women in Agriculture 

Women have traditionally been integrated into agricultural systems, but empowering them to play significant roles in the agricultural value chain is crucial. A common challenge women face across the world is access to resources. However, there is growing awareness of how empowering women benefits communities. When a woman gains resources, she not only supports herself but also recruits and empowers other women, strengthening the community.

India has excellent initiatives supporting women in agriculture. There are ample opportunities for agriculture ministers or stakeholders from other countries to collaborate with Indian counterparts or visit India to learn from these initiatives. Learning from India's positive interventions can help implement similar programs in Ghana and other African countries, which can all benefit from studying and adopting India's successful women empowerment initiatives in agriculture.

In Ghana, both private stakeholders and the government have initiated various programmes to support women in agriculture. The Women in Agricultural Development (WIAD) of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture of Ghana collaborates with women's cooperatives and groups, providing training on value addition, managing post-harvest loss, and finding markets for their produce. This support also helps women gain access to funding, land, and mechanisation.

My company, Young Farmers Development Organisation (YOFDO) is also launching an initiative called Agri for Girls on May 29th. This programme aims to empower young women interested in agriculture or agribusiness by providing mentorship, training, and business setup assistance. Empowerment of young women across nations and supporting them in getting into farms reduces unemployment, generates income, supports national development, and helps feed families and communities.

Small Enterprises, Large Effect 

Small and Medium Enterprises play a crucial role in a nation’s food system. They act as intermediaries connecting consumers and producers. For instance, in agriculture, multinational companies cannot buy everything when farmers harvest their produce, and SMEs step in to purchase and sell a significant portion. This balance is vital for a healthy economy. This makes it important to support SMEs with the necessary logistics to enhance their productivity and efficiency.

A noticeable increase in successful SMEs in India reflects a noteworthy trend. The Indian government supports SMEs by creating an environment that motivates young investors to start businesses. This approach benefits graduates, who find employment in these new businesses, contribute to the economy, and support their families. As India continues to excel in this area, other countries with trade relationships or business interests in India can learn from their protocols. India's approach is impressive, and people from other countries can learn from them, have conversations, and understand their concepts to create products or services that fit the Indian market. Learning from India's example will help empower SMEs worldwide.

In Ghana, we're advocating for tax exemptions for SMEs, particularly in agriculture, to help them grow without the burden of high taxes. Additional measures include capacity-building training, low-interest loans, and mentorship programmes. Ghana also promotes SME growth through business pitches for grants and accessible loans, which reduce reliance on government jobs. Supporting SMEs is a vital strategy for economic growth and job creation in a country.

Ghana’s National Entrepreneurship Innovations Plan (NEIP) supports the SME sector by providing capacity building, organising business pitch contests, and helping young entrepreneurs access grants and funding from international organisations. These interventions offer valuable lessons for other countries.

Partnering and collaborating to create excellent solutions for the target market is better than merely copying positive practices. If I want to establish "Count on Crops" or "YOFDO," a branch of the Ghanaian farmer organisation, in India, I'd need to visit India, engage in discussions, and understand the aims and objectives of YOFDO in Ghana. Then, I'd seek suggestions on how to smoothly venture into the Indian market, gain customers, and receive government or industry support. If someone from India wants to start an SME-driven organisation in Ghana, they could seek out NEIP or consult entrepreneurs like me. Stakeholders across countries should inquire about the needs of the SME market and how to tailor their products or services accordingly and expand – that is how the SMEs grow.

Reforming Agriculture with Tech 

The advancements in technology are revolutionising the agricultural sector, allowing farmers to increase crop yields, connect with buyers, and adapt to climate change. India is at the forefront of agri-tech and mechanisation, serving as an exemplary model for other nations. Innovative technologies such as drones and online platforms for accessing tractors, information, and other tools are making a positive impact by enabling farmers to monitor crops, detect diseases, and prepare land efficiently.

Ghana is also rapidly embracing agri-tech, as the adoption of drones and other farming technologies has commenced. The adaptation of ideas from other countries to suit local needs signals a readiness to evolve and enhance the agricultural sector.

In the 21st century, technology plays a crucial role in nearly every business sector, particularly in research, where AI assists students and professionals in swiftly gathering information and supporting their projects. Given India's vast population, traditional means alone are insufficient to meet the needs of every small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) in the agricultural sector. Leveraging technology can significantly enhance efficiency and productivity. The existing platforms in India can facilitate the expansion of SMEs and further its growth in the country. Governments should focus on building the capacity of SMEs to fully utilise these technological advancements with each new development.

Every country needs to invest in technology and, crucially, train individuals to use it effectively. Building capacity ensures that technology is utilised to its fullest potential, leading to increased income, productivity, and efficiency. As India makes strides in the right direction its government must ensure that all technology intended to benefit farmers, SMEs, and consumers is accessible and that people are trained to use it effectively, thereby resulting in overall growth and increased happiness.

I strongly believe that agro-tourism presents a beautiful opportunity to learn successful farming practices from around the world. By visiting countries like India, engaging with experts, and understanding the local context, other nations can adapt these tech innovations to their own needs. Collaborating with Indian experts and observing their solutions can inspire and assist in agricultural advancements in other countries, ultimately benefiting farmers and improving food security globally. There is a lot that African countries especially can take from the success of agri-tech in India to boost growth.

Lessons from Past  

Culture and food are crucial components of human life and heritage. Hence, food traditions play a central role in shaping human behaviour. In the past, our ancestors cultivated their crops organically, patiently nurturing them through the growth process. They rotated crops and used natural methods to maintain soil fertility, without relying on synthetic chemicals. However, with the increase in population and concerns about soil fertility, synthetic fertilisers became more prevalent. Agriculture started leaning towards chemical-dependent practices. But our ancestors successfully fed their families and communities without these modern inputs.

It's essential to revisit these traditional methods and teach the younger generation about organic farming practices. We need to emphasise soil care and the use of natural fertilisers like chicken and cow dung to enrich soil fertility. By reconnecting with these old practices, we can reduce our dependence on synthetic chemicals and mitigate the environmental impact of agriculture. Scientists should recognise the value of traditional farming methods and work to enhance them rather than dismissing them entirely. These methods can be refined and combined with modern techniques for sustainable agriculture.

Countries like India have a rich tradition of organic farming, providing valuable lessons for other nations. Embracing these old methods and enhancing them for modern needs can lead to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to agriculture.

Drawing youth to farms 

Rural youth are vital for the future of our agri-food system. By empowering, training, and providing necessary facilities and logistics, they can thrive in their communities, benefiting both rural and urban areas. Empowering rural youth reduces migration to cities, preventing urban overcrowding as well, which is becoming a matter of concern for many nations.

India, with its large youthful population, has a responsibility to invest in both urban centres and rural areas. By providing the necessary infrastructure and opportunities in rural areas, India can prevent urban overcrowding and enable rural youth to become self-reliant and financially stable.

For balanced development, governments must invest in rural youth, build their capacity, and ensure they have access to the same opportunities as urban areas. This involves establishing factories, modern markets, and facilities in rural communities, good road networks, reliable internet services, connecting them with the markets and opportunities, enabling them to sell their produce and add value locally. With proper support, rural youth can significantly contribute to national development.