Ghana Agricultural Potential & Sustainability Rob Stichbury - Paragon Volta
Ghana is ideally positioned for Agribusiness growth First land for development 5,000 ha in Brong-Ahafo near to the Black Volga The land is currently uncropped Agriculturally not dissimilar to key regions in Brazil Paragon Volta
Mato Grosso v Brong-Ahafo The rest is Capital + Management + Smart Farming Brong-AhafoMato Grosso Rainfall mm1,1001,300 Temperature ºC Relative Humidity Ave day sunshine hours SoilsSavanna Ochrasols Oxisols VegetationForest & bush savanna
The Paragon Volta Project ….a blueprint for sustainable development Initial plans for 5,000 hectares including: Certified Seed Enterprise with Laboratories Crops to include Sorghum, Wheat, Maize, Rice, Canola, Soya, Peanuts and cash crops (Guar, Cassava, Sugar Cane) Smart Farming with latest technology & machinery Processing – Oil and Feed Mills Renewable Energy – solar, HEP, biofuels Parallel opportunities (Extension Service, CPC, Fertilizer, Processing & Marketing) Phase 2 additional 25,000 hectares, & development of new crops & markets Social & Environmental Plans Employment & Training School & Health Clinic Communications (mobile, IT, computers) Renewable Energy Funding: phase1 $15-20m; phase 2 $25-30m Timing: asap
Climate change; Environmental Protection & Biodiversity ………….are key areas for improvement
Summary Timing is perfect now Smart farming & The Internet of Things = competitive blueprint for the future Overall opportunity will have major impact to Ghana: BoP >$1bn; infrastructure & jobs in allied industries Social & Environmental integration – Critical for Sustainability