The fifth edition of the Eastern Commodity Satellite Market Fair (ECSMF) has been launched in Koforidua under the theme, “Eastern Commodity Satellite Market Fair: Shaping the Future of Agricultural Industrialization through Strategic Investment.”
The fair is expected to highlight the region’s commitment to transforming agriculture into a viable and modern business. It is also expected to enhance value addition, support youth development, and foster agribusiness growth, contributing to the region’s economic development.
Launching the fair, the Regional Minister, Mrs. Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, said the event has become a flagship programme on the regional calendar, successfully linking over 40,000 farmers and small-scale processors to structured markets since its inception in 2019.
She said this year’s fair aims to promote value-added products from local commodities, encourage strategic investment in agro-processing and logistics, foster collaboration among stakeholders, and support job creation, especially for youth and women in agribusiness.
Mrs. Awatey emphasized that the future of agriculture lies in strategic partnerships, market-led production, technology adoption, and industrial-scale investment. She urged farmers, traders, and entrepreneurs to showcase their products and build strong relationships to take their products beyond the region and across borders. She also used the opportunity to invite investors and partners to take advantage of the opportunities available in the region for business.
The Regional Director of the Department of Agriculture, Hajia Habiba Yusif, said the Commodity Satellite Market Fair is not just a display of agricultural commodities but also a demonstration of the region’s unwavering commitment to agricultural transformation, rural prosperity, and inclusive market access for all.
According to her, this initiative serves as a platform for farmers, as well as actors in the agricultural value chain, not only to showcase their innovations and products but also to gain valuable exposure to modern marketing strategies, value addition opportunities, and access to investment and financing avenues.
She said the department takes immense pride in the region’s richly endowed fertile lands, diverse crops, and industrious farmers, working to connect producers directly with buyers, processors, and the wider market.
Hajia Yusif commended the Regional Coordinating Council and other stakeholders for their active roles in sustaining this noble initiative since its inception.