A lecturer at the Department of Agricultural and Mechanical Engineering at University of Cape Coast, Professor Francis Kumi, is calling on government to tighten regulatory oversight and enforce stronger quality assurance measures in the production of locally manufactured agricultural machinery.
According to him, Ghana’s agribusiness sector stands to benefit significantly if strict engineering standards are applied to homegrown agrotech equipment.
He believes this would drive sustainable growth and improve the overall reliability of locally developed technologies.
Prof. Kumi made the call after the maiden Ghana Agrotech Fair, a three-day event held in Accra.
The fair, organised by Ghana EXIM Bank in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, brought together farmers, manufacturers, researchers, investors and policymakers under the theme “Transforming Agribusiness through Local Innovation and Technology.”
In an interview with journalist Eric Annan, Prof. Kumi acknowledged the progress Ghana has made in developing local agricultural technologies.
However, he warned that the lack of strict engineering standards could undermine their reliability, safety and competitiveness on both local and international markets.
He urged government to establish and enforce clear certification systems for locally manufactured machinery, while also strengthening collaboration between engineers, research institutions and industry players.
He stressed that ensuring locally produced equipment meets international benchmarks is critical to building trust and expanding market opportunities.
Maintaining high standards, he noted, will not only protect farmers but also position Ghanaian agrotech products for export across the sub-region and beyond.
He further advised local manufacturers to invest in market research and surveillance to better understand demand and design machinery that meets the evolving needs of the sector.
Prof. Kumi also cautioned that substandard agrotech products could harm the industry and pose public health risks, particularly through unhygienic food processing methods that may lead to avoidable illnesses.
He concluded by urging government to prioritise the revitalisation of local foundries to support agrotech manufacturers.
Strengthening these facilities, he said, would enable producers to develop more affordable and purpose-fit machinery locally, rather than relying on imported materials that may be cheaper but often fail to meet the specific needs of Ghanaian farmers.