The Head of the Post-Harvest Unit at the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Alhaji Iddrisu Zakari, has appealed to the government to incorporate post-harvest activities into the proposed 24-hour economy policy.
According to him, the inclusion of post-harvest units in the initiative will help reduce food wastage, improve farmers’ income, and promote value addition by extending operational hours for critical activities such as storage, processing, and marketing.
Alhaji Zakari noted that a significant portion of Ghana’s agricultural produce is lost after harvest due to inadequate storage facilities, limited processing capacity, and inefficient transportation systems.
He stated that extending the working hours of post-harvest operations through the 24-hour economy model would ensure that more food reaches the market in good condition, thereby reducing losses and improving food security.
“I will be very happy if President Mahama considers us in his Grow24 and Make24-hour economy policy. Extending our operational hours will help minimize losses in the agricultural sector and ensure that more food reaches consumers,” Alhaji Zakari expressed.
Speaking in an exclusive interview on Fabea FM, he explained that the implementation of a 24-hour economy in the post-harvest sector could facilitate the efficient processing of produce and encourage the development of value-added products.
Alhaji Zakari emphasized that the government’s support in creating an enabling environment for post-harvest businesses would lead to more job opportunities, especially for the youth interested in agribusiness.
He also called on the government to rehabilitate dilapidated silos across the country, stating that consistent access to storage facilities—preferably equipped with modern machines—would allow farmers to preserve their produce for longer periods and sell under better market conditions.
Alhaji Zakari commended the government’s effort to introduce a 24-hour economic policy and further encouraged the provision of investment incentives for businesses in the post-harvest value chain.
In conclusion, he reiterated that integrating post-harvest operations into the 24-hour economy framework has the potential to significantly reduce food losses, boost farmer income, enhance agricultural productivity, and create sustainable employment.
