HBP Crowns Supported ToT with Step-Down Training at Adenta Community Garden

05-12-2024

HBP Crowns Supported ToT with Step-Down Training at Adenta Community Garden

Building on the success of the previous Trainer of Trainers (ToT) program, the Horticulture Business Platform (HBP), in partnership with IDH and with funding support from the Embassy of the Netherlands, organized a step-down training event on November 27th and 28th at the Adenta Community Garden. This event played a crucial role in HBP's ongoing efforts to improve the quality and marketability of horticultural produce in Ghana.

The objective of the step-down training was to cascade the knowledge gained from the ToT sessions to farmers and outgrowers. While the ToT had equipped the selected SMEs with essential business development skills and an understanding of quality standards, this knowledge alone would have limited impact. Most of these SMEs rely heavily on farmers and producers for their produce, so extending the training to farmers and outgrowers was essential to ensure that they also meet the required quality standards. By aligning the entire value chain, from SMEs to producers, HBP aims to ensure that all stakeholders adhere to the same high standards of quality, safety, and sustainability—critical factors in meeting the growing market demand for both quality and quantity.

A total of 65 farmers and outgrowers from 10 selected SMEs participated in the two-day training. The sessions covered a broad range of topics crucial for business development, including record-keeping practices that support effective production planning. Participants also learned about maintaining Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), which are essential for ensuring the safety of produce and the environmental sustainability of farming operations.

In addition to these core practices, the training introduced participants to affordable yet innovative technologies that are making a significant impact in the farming industry. These included precision tools like pH and EC meters, as well as insights into fertigation and drip irrigation systems—technologies that are revolutionizing farming by improving efficiency and resource management.

By the end of the training, participants expressed satisfaction with the valuable knowledge and skills they had gained. Many acknowledged that the training had equipped them with practical tools and insights that could directly enhance their farming operations and contribute to the growth of their businesses.

This step-down training event underscores HBP's commitment to strengthening the horticulture sector in Ghana. By empowering value chain actors with the necessary tools, knowledge, and support, HBP is helping to improve the quality and quantity of local produce, ensuring that Ghanaian horticultural products meet international standards and growing demand.

-Bemjamin Agamah.

GNBCC | News