A lecturer in the Department of Agricultural and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Professor Francis Kumi, has called on the government to continue to strongly enforce standards and quality assurance measures among local fabricators engaged in the production of agricultural machinery.
According to him, the sector and the agribusiness industry as a whole will experience sustainable growth if local manufacturers and innovators adhere to strict engineering standards in the production of homegrown agrotech machinery.
Prof. Kumi made these remarks following the recently held maiden edition of the three-day Ghana Agrotech Fair in Accra. The event, organized by the Ghana EXIM Bank in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, brought together manufacturers, farmers, researchers, investors, and policymakers under the theme, “Transforming Agribusiness through Local Innovation and Technology.”
Speaking in an interview with *Sompa TV’s Eric Annan*, Prof. Kumi emphasized that although Ghana is making progress in developing local agricultural technologies, the failure of some manufacturers to adhere to engineering standards could undermine the reliability, safety, and competitiveness of the final products.
He further urged the state to improve the establishment of clear certification systems for locally manufactured machines, strengthen collaboration among engineers, research institutions, and industry players, and ensure that locally produced equipment meets international benchmarks.
According to him, maintaining high standards will not only protect businesses but also promote the export of Ghanaian agrotech products to other countries within the sub-region and beyond.
He also advised local agrotech manufacturers to consistently conduct customer needs assessments as a critical step in making informed decisions about the types of machines and technologies to develop, so as to produce goods that meet the demands of the growing market and contribute to the overall success of their enterprises.
He stressed that failure to use the right raw materials in manufacturing, especially in the production of agro-processing machinery, will not only threaten Ghana’s agribusiness industry but also pose serious health risks to the public. This, he warned, could lead to many preventable illnesses among consumers.
The UCC lecturer further appealed to the government to revitalize existing local foundries and establish new ones to enable agrotech manufacturers in the country to access raw materials at more affordable costs, rather than depending on very expensive imported alternatives.
Sompaonline.com//Eric Annan