The Platform for Agricultural Risk Management (PARM) has trained private sector actors in the agriculture sector on integrating Agricultural Risk Management (ARM) into policies and institutional capacities, as well as in developing investment plans to better manage agricultural risks.

The workshop, in collaboration with the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), aimed to train actors and facilitate knowledge exchange among sector players to ensure that all individuals within the value chain are more resilient in risk management.

Speaking to JoyNews on June 27, Capacity Development Specialist, Francesca Nugnes said the three-day event aimed at building the capacity of participants on risk management holistic approach, risk assessment and prioritisation by value chain

“Foreign companies that are coming in from Italy are not only to do their own business but really to develop a thriving system, exchanging knowledge. This is important because we need to learn from the Ghana actors and we can exchange experience and together, we can keep all the actors of the value chain to be more resilient to…. and also all type of unforeseen events,” she said.

Additionally, she said the training will equip private sector actors to manage their resources and properly plan their investments and offer evidence-based, risk tools and strategies for monitoring and evaluation.

“The private sector enterprise to plan the allocation of their resources and the risk and investment done on their activities. The objective is to have a better view of agriculture risk and been aware of the risk, knowing how to manage it and the risk investments,” she added.

A participant, Georgina Koomson, said the programme has helped her identify new ways to manage the risks she faces while farming in a fire-prone community.

“With this programme it is helping us to also to understand and diversify in our operations,” she said.

Meanwhile, she mentioned that the knowledge gained from the programme has broadened her understanding of why it is important to analyse the type of crop before making investments, which subsequently reduces risk.

Another participant, Dr Felix Kamassah, praised the initiative, stating that it would benefit the shaping of agricultural policy.

He urged the government to take an interest in agricultural risk assessment to guide policies, including the Planting for Food and Jobs initiative, ensuring value for money.