As part of efforts to bring stake holders in the agricultural sector together to develop more strategies that seek to modernise the agricultural sub-sector to enhance high productivity especially the livestock, Agrihouse foundation has held its third Livestock, Poultry and Fisheries Tradeshow, LiPF, in Accra.
Over the years, the LiPF tradeshow has showcased and promoted the livestock, poultry and fisheries productions and job opportunities within the agricultural value chain through exhibition, while offering training programmes in Animal production.
Speaking at the opening of the Tradeshow, Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa said that the Livestock, Poultry and Fisheries sector had little or no representation when decisions concerning the agricultural sector were been made at different levels of the national economy.
Rather, it has over the years, closed the gap that existed between the livestock and crop sectors in the Ghanaian agricultural industry.
Madam Akosa said, “LiPF has come at an opportune time to inform and educate participants about alternative means to create jobs and make additional income, especially, in the animal agricultural sector, since many people in the country now have lost their jobs as result of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
She added: “LifP is a relevant intervention and it is now more relevant as it seeks to build resilience and confidence in individuals who have lost their source of income and are looking for alternate means in these times.”
Improving Livestock, Poultry and Fisheries sectors in Ghana’s Agriculture
To ensure that meat consumed in the country is safe for human consumption, a deputy of Veterinary Services at the Veterinary Services Directorate, Dr. Geoffrey Akabua, noted that trained veterinary staff are stationed in the various slaughtering facilities to carry out meat inspection.
He said that in spite of the dwindling number of the Veterinary Staff, “we can still be relied on by Poultry, Livestock and Fisheries farmers. The veterinary services is struggling with lack of adequate staff. Our numbers are dwindling by each passing day. This not withstanding , veterinary staff are located in the various Districts Municipalities as well as Metropolis assisting in day to day animal health care delivery.”
This year, the third edition of LiPF is in partnership with United State Department of Agriculture (UNDA) – Ghana Poultry Project (GPP), United State Department of Agriculture (UNDA), Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), National Board for Small Scale Industries and National Farmers and Fishermen Award Winner’s Association of Ghana (NFFAWAG).