BY VALENTIA TETTEH
Ghana’s Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has highlighted the crucial role of smallholder farmers in global food production, calling for increased recognition and support for producers who form the backbone of the world’s food systems.
Speaking at the Third General Assembly of the World Farmers Markets Coalition (WorldFMC) in Rome, the Minister stressed that despite being the originators of food, farmers have often been overlooked along the agricultural value chain.
“Unfortunately, along the value chain, it is the producer who has been neglected all this while,” he said. “That is why I consider this platform extremely important; it recognizes the farmer, the person who goes to the field, tills the land, plants the seed, and produces the food that sustains us all.”
Eric Opoku noted that about 80 percent of Ghana’s farming population consists of smallholder farmers, who contribute significantly to the country’s food security and rural livelihoods. To empower them, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture has facilitated the formation of community- and commodity-based cooperatives nationwide.
“To date, we have successfully established over 70,000 farmer cooperatives across the country,” he revealed. “By organizing themselves into cooperatives, our farmers are better positioned to access resources, markets, and knowledge that enhance productivity and income.”
The Third General Assembly of the World Farmers Markets Coalition brought together farmers, market managers, associations, and stakeholders from across the globe to exchange ideas and explore strategies for strengthening farmers’ markets and local food systems.
Discussions at the assembly centered on biodiversity, food sovereignty, climate resilience, and sustainable local supply chains. The event also featured a biodiversity exhibition, the presentation of a Youth Manifesto for Local Food, and the WorldFMC Awards, which recognized outstanding contributions to farmers’ markets and sustainable agriculture.
The global gathering, held in Rome from October 10, coincided with the 80th anniversary celebrations of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
