A cross-section of exhibitors and patrons who participated in the Farmers’ Market and Exhibition event organized by the College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences (CANS), University of Cape Coast have expressed satisfaction with the organization of the event.
The Farmers’ Market and the Exhibition formed part of activities preluding the grand durbar of the 60th anniversary of the University of Cape Coast. The exhibition had on display equipment, technological innovations developed by the various departments as well as their activities. At the Farmers’ Market, the exhibitors who were mainly students from the School of Agriculture put on display some agricultural produce.
The event brought together lecturers, students and a broad section of members of the University community and the general public to interact with exhibitors. It also offered patrons the opportunity to purchase varieties of products.
Provost of CANS-UCC, Prof. Moses Joojo Eghan, who visited some of the stands mounted by exhibitors, encouraged patrons to take advantage of the opportunities the Farmers’ Market presented. According to him, agriculture was a profitable venture that had bright prospects, especially for the youth. He, therefore, urged the youth to engage in agriculture especially smart agriculture which involves green housing, precision irrigation and precise plant nutrition among others.
According to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the agricultural sector contributes about 54% of Ghana's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employs about 60% of the population through the value chain. It accounts for 40% of export earnings, while providing over 90% of the food needs of the country.
Prof. Eghan refuted the erroneous perception that agriculture was a form of punishment and the preserve of the uneducated and poor.
Deans, Heads of Departments, lecturers and students of the College, as well as a cross section of the public, visited the various pavilions to interact with exhibitors and transact business.
Impressions of Exhibitors and Patrons
Some exhibitors and patrons who participated in the Farmers’ Market were highly enthused about the turn out of the event.
Master Joseph Tetteh, a level 400 student with the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, said patrons purchased the coconuts he mounted at the stand, adding that the Farmers’ Market had really helped him cash in.
Another, Mr. Isaac Frimpong, a staff member at the Technology Unit of UCC Farms, noted that patronage was good and commended the organizers for the rare opportunity to present his cassava produce to the patrons.
A patron, Miss Gloria Osei, a level 100 student, who purchased quite a quantity of farm produce, called for more of the Farmers’ Market event on campus, adding that “the foodstuff were very affordable and of natural sources.” She, however, appealed to the organizers to position the Farmers’ Market event on convenient dates next semester to enable more of her colleagues to patronize the event.
Although some stands at the event had most patrons window shopping, exhibitors were of the firm conviction that their products had been made known to the patrons.
Prior to the Farmers’ Market, the College held a symposium on the theme: “Quality Higher Education: Expanding Our Frontiers. The Role of CANS”
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Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC