Registration opens for FAGRO 2012

BY EDMUND SMITH-ASANTE

Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa

Registration to exhibit at this year’s national food and agricultural fair, FAGRO 2012, has opened with price packages ranging from GH¢500 to GH¢1600 for a stand, the fair’s secretariat has announced.

According to organisers of the fair, the pricing policy is intended to make the stands readily available and affordable to even start-ups and small scale agric businesses.

This year’s edition, which will be held under the theme: “Linking farmers to the appropriate market; a value chain process”, is expected to draw a large number of local and foreign exhibitors from across the various units and divides of the agric industry.

Largely supported by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, and the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB), FAGRO seeks to promote and add value to Ghana’s agricultural produce, and also to improve marketing outlets for profitable business.

Instituted three years ago, the concept has grown into a must-attend for most stakeholders who seek a sustained and diversified rural-urban agricultural development plan and foundation for the overall good of Ghana’s economy and agric sector, say the organisers.

According to the Exhibition Director of FAGRO, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, it is expected that the annual marketing platform that brings together an average of some 100 exhibitors from Ghana, sub-regions as well as a good number of foreign exhibitors, will be enhanced this year, given the level of expectation and optimism surrounding this year’s event.

Cautioning prospective exhibitors that forms would be sold on first come first served basis and so they should pick up copies early to avoid an anticipated rush, Alberta Akosa disclosed that “registration forms can be picked up at the ADB head office, Ridge, Osu, the Front Desk of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and at the FAGRO Secretariat at Tesano, to register for what would go down as a fair to remember”.

This year’s event takes place at the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park from Thursday, August 23 to Saturday, August 25, 2012, thus moving away from its regular venue – the Accra International Trade Fair Centre.