19 major farming companies and 32 Dutch Gartenbau delegations arrived in Ghana, with a three-day trade mission aimed at deepening the cooperation of connected Ghana in the horticultural region.
The delegation is made up of the Dutch Minister of Agriculture H.E. Marten van den burg. The mission will take place from May 26th until 2825.
The initiative is organized by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ghana, in cooperation with the Netherlands African Business Council (NABC). It brings together stakeholders from both countries, including government agencies, private sector actors and academic institutions, to explore investment opportunities and promote sustainable partnerships in the gardening chain.
This mission illustrates another commitment from the Netherlands to integrate development cooperation with Ghana's private sector commitments. Corporate matchmaking sessions, outdoor visits and high-ranking political engagement are mixed in order to promote Dutch investment returns in Ghana's ambitious horticultural industry.
Under the mission goal, presented to Dutch agribusiness for investment in Ghana, is to show how development of development cooperation improves the local business environment and identify challenges facing potential investors. These findings are expected to affect future Dutch agricultural policies in Ghana.
Most important highlights include visits to horticultural companies such as Ilbov and Fruit Champion Greenhouse in the Volta region, Farmers' Day, involving smallholder farmers and Dutch partners, and business receptions attended by Ghanaian government officials and deal owners. These activities demonstrate the Dutch contributions in seed technology, greenhouse production, cooling storage, agricultural financing and agricultural training.
A major milestone in the mission is the signature of the revised Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Ghana's Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opok and Vice President Marten van den Berg. The MOU will acknowledge both countries' commitment to continued cooperation and open a new technical working group focusing on seeds, agribusiness and cocoa.
The Dutch government sees this mission as a multiple trade initiative.
According to Marten van Denberg, Dutch farmers have set global benchmarks for agricultural productivity and innovation, and such partnerships could significantly benefit Ghanas' agricultural ambitions. Jeroen Verheus, ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ghana, emphasized that trade missions reflect a common ambition to strengthen commercial ties, while simultaneously promoting integrated and sustainable development. He noticed that Ghana, the Netherlands, views Ghana not only as an investment goal but also as a strategic partner.
The Trade Mission also agrees to the Ghana Programme, which was recently launched from Ghana. The Netherlands is well set up to support this national agenda with sustained investments in agricultural education and training.