Gov’t to promote rural industrialisation to boost agribusiness – Trade Minister

Ofosu-Adjare explained that locating agro-processing facilities close to raw material sources would significantly cut transportation costs and provide local employment.

“If you site your industry where the raw materials are, it is going to be cheaper for you, and also create jobs for people who do the production,” she noted.

She used cashew production as an example, saying: “Imagine you are into the production of cashew nuts — it is cost-effective to put a factory, for example, in Techiman North, because all the waste will be here, instead of transferring everything to Accra. The cost of transportation will be high, and at the end of the day, your cost of production will be high.”

The minister also stressed the need to create opportunities across the agribusiness value chain, especially for the youth who may not be interested in farming.

“If we do the farming, it will be fair that our children also get to do the agribusiness part of it, especially those who are not interested in the farming aspect,” she said. “So, we are encouraging people to put their industries where the raw materials are.”

Regarding the form of incentives under consideration, Ofosu-Adjare said discussions were ongoing, but confirmed that machinery waivers for agro-processing facilities were among the options.

“At the end of the policy, I am sure the type of incentive will be solidified, even though the president mentioned the waiver on machinery for agro-processing. I think that the map will be done with the Minister for Finance,” she added.