Farmers and manufacturers in the Bono Region have called on government for the right support to enable them to add more value to their yields to meet both local and international markets and create more jobs for the teeming youth.

They expressed confidence that support from the government and the financial sector or investors would also enable them to market and promote their products.

They made the call during the second edition of the 2022 Bono Region Agricultural fair at Victoria Park in Sunyani.

The three-day fair, which started on September 27, 2022, is themed "Promoting market linkages through agricultural fairs".

Participants include players along the value chain such as local fertilizer manufacturers, fertilizer importers, agrochemical manufacturers/retailers, agro-processors, service providers, research institutions, consumers, and Farmer Based Organizations.

Kofi Vinyo of Kovi Organic foods in Sunyani, producers of the first tiger nuts powder and oil in Africa, said they are getting orders from outside the country requiring extra capital to meet the demands.

"This is a call for interested organisations and people who have the money and want to invest. If we can also get support to advertise our products, it would help us to expand and create more employment opportunities for our people".

For Kumah Kwame Charles of Nimdee Hyeren foods limited in Sampa, producers of raw cashew nuts to cashew kennels, it would be good as a country if the processing capacities would be increased.

He said that would ensure they can process all that they grow, thereby creating more jobs for the teeming youth.

He further noted that it would also increase the value of the product, which will bring in more revenue.

"We need a lot of support, especially equipment. They are very expensive and very difficult for an individual to do", Mr Kumah appealed, adding that they also need working capital.

He stated that currently, he is working at 100 metric tons capacity, and if he gets the support, he can do 600 metric tons of cashew and employ over 200 people, where about 80% would be women.

Dennis Abugri Amenga, the Bono Regional Director of Agriculture, emphasized that one of the strategies to accelerate efforts to modernize and transform the agenda for agriculture is by bringing stakeholders along the agricultural value chain together.

He noted that the Regional Department of Agriculture, since the inception of Modernizing Agriculture in Ghana (MAG) program, has supported various initiatives aimed at addressing marketing gaps and promoting market linkages among the agricultural value chain participants.

"Potentially, this fair provides a single platform for the major stakeholders in the agricultural sector, provides the opportunity for agribusiness to identify and network with potential clients, promotes technologies helpful in increasing farm-related income, and provides updated information to industry players in the agricultural sector", he explained.

Bono Regional Minister, Justina Owusu Banahene, said she anticipates the exhibitions at the fair would clear the youth's misconceptions about the agricultural sector.

"The fair is organised to showcase a modern form of agriculture and clear the misconception of the youth about same as a poverty oriented enterprise, and to equally draw on their commitment to enter into the enterprise".

She called on the youth to take advantage of the various policies and programs rolled out by the government to enter into agriculture to better their future.