As greenhouse farming gains momentum across Ghana, a leading industry voice is calling on the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) to urgently develop standards tailored to the country's unique tropical climate.
In an interview with agrighanaonline.com, The Managing Director of Agri Commercial Services Limited based in Wenchi, Bono Region, Mr.Kwabena Adu Gyamfi, argues, "Most of the greenhouses being used here were designed for temperate climates, not for Ghana's hot and humid environment. We urgently need standards from the Ministry that ensure greenhouse systems can function effectively under our climate conditions."
According to Mr. Adu Gyamfi, the lack of tailored standards is leading to costly inefficiencies for greenhouse operators. In many cases, facilities become unbearably hot by mid-morning to afternoon, as workers experience heat stress.
"If you want to build a house in Ghana, you need to go to the assembly, submit your design, and get approval, but for greenhouses, people just see something online or abroad, bring it here, and set it up without considering whether it fits our climate, and other safety conditions, he added Despite the government's efforts to scale up greenhouse farming through the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA), there remains a gap in enforcement, regulation, and technical training. Mr. Gyamfi noted that the potential for greenhouse farming in Ghana is enormous, but we can't continue importing solutions that are not suited for our environment.
Read more at AgriGhana
