Leverage tech, research to address food insecurity

THE Minister of Environment, Science, Innovation, and Technology, Ophelia Mensah Hayford, has called for renewed investment in agriculture research and innovation to boost production.

This is to help tackle food insecurity in the country.

She said Ghana's agricultural sector faces many challenges, including limited irrigation, climate change, inadequate infrastructure, and the lack of access to credit for small-scale farmers. 

To overcome these hurdles, she emphasised the need for greater investment in scientific research and innovation. 

"Leveraging technology and research would boost agricultural productivity, improve food security, and ensure sustainable growth for farmers, especially small-scale ones.

Technologies that have propelled agricultural success elsewhere are yet to be fully adapted to our needs. These issues require high-level attention if we are to make meaningful progress," she said.

CSIR Food Fair 

Ms Hayford made the call in a speech read on her behalf at the opening of a three-day exhibition organised by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Food Research Institute (CSIR-FRI) in Accra to mark this year's World Food Day celebration.

Dubbed "CSIR Food Fair" on the theme "Food is life. Food is Medicine. Leave no one behind", it brought together agro-food processors, food vendors, nutrition and health institutions, and stakeholders to discuss, showcase, and sell their products to the general public. 

It also provided an opportunity for stakeholders in the food industry and other organisations to interact and boost marketing and research development prospects. 

She reaffirmed the government's commitment to scientific research and improving infrastructure in schools and research institutions. 

Combating food losses

Highlighting CSIR-FRI's drive to turn research into tangible benefits for Ghana's food sector, the Director of the Institute, Prof. Charles Tortoe, stressed the critical role of food preservation, processing, and storage in combating food losses in Ghana.

He revealed that the Institute has developed 30 training modules to assist individuals and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in starting food businesses.

"These modules are designed for anyone who wants to begin a business in food processing, preservation, or distribution," he said.

He encouraged Ghanaians, especially the youth, to leverage their training modules to acquire skills that would enable them to create sustainable businesses for themselves.

Collective effort

The Director-General of CSIR Ghana, Prof. Paul Bosu, said the role of research in food processing, preservation, safety, storage, marketing, and distribution was essential for ensuring national food security.

Citing recent data from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), he warned that chronic food insecurity continues to plague the global population.

He further called for a collective effort to improve Ghana's food systems and urged all stakeholders to commit to leaving no one behind in the fight against hunger and food insecurity.