On Wednesday, 2 March, our Trade and Economic Mission organized a stakeholder forum on Soil Health Management in Ghana. The objective of the forum was to promote the use of innovative fertilizers, soil inoculants, best soil practices, and influence policy formulation in ag​riculture production.

It brought together stakeholders from private, public and research institutions to share learnings and showcase best practices to generate rapid responses to help develop better soil health practices to support the development and efficiency of the agricultural sector in Ghana. 

In her opening remarks, H. E. Shlomit Sufa commended the government of Ghana for implementing the Planting for Food and Jobs initiative. “I would like to commend and acknowledge you and your government’s bold initiatives such as the Planting for Food and Jobs to support Ghanaian farmers to adopt newer ways of farming including improved seeds, access to fertilizers and Irrigation schemes.” 

She added that “this stakeholder forum on Soil Health with specific focus on fertilizers presents another unique opportunity for the State of Israel to share both expertise and technology that has been tried and tested through intense research and application, taking note of the importance of agriculture to the people of Ghana.”

On his part, the Director for Crops at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture expressed the government of Ghana’s gratitude to the government of Israel for the long term partnership in the agricultural sector. 

He said that “I appreciate efforts by the Israeli government’ reference to the role of Government as a ‘partner’ in agriculture and with the farmers who practice it as a profession and as a livelihood.  It is the objective of this Government and my Ministry to support innovations in agriculture – including soils research and fertilizer – and to put in place the incentives necessary to stimulate increased uptake of productivity-enhancing agricultural technology, and to create a fair and equitable market environment which is inviting to new investors.”

The Soil Health Stakeholder Forum was organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Africa Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP), and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). It provided a platform for stakeholders to deliberate and share learnings and highlight on best practices to generate rapid responses to help develop better soil health practices to support the development and efficiency of the agricultural sector in Ghana.  

The forum also featured some Israeli fertilizer and soil health management companies such as Deshen Hatzafon, Groundwork BioAg, Or Recycling Park, ICL.