Agricultural production now contributes about 20 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) instead of the original 60 per cent to 70 per cent.
Dr Victor Agyemang, the Director General of Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), who stated this, said the sinking production levels was affecting overall GDP growth, while it threatened food security.
Therefore, Dr Agyemang said it was important to adopt various technological platforms to increase the growth rate of agricultural production.
Dr Agyemang was addressing stakeholders at a workshop, organised in Accra, on Monday, by the CSIR to share findings on a study conducted to review and appraise the various Innovation Platform (IP) cases, draw lessons and make recommendations for an improved IP implementation.
The Innovation Platforms seeks to bridge the gap between Ghana’s research and the private sector through the implementation of an improved technology development and transfer system.
It is also the framework, which brings stakeholders along the value chain together for continuous interaction and lessons learning through research to ensure that technology generation, dissemination and adoption takes place on targeted commodities for the economic benefit of stakeholders.
The rationale for the workshop is, therefore, to strategize on modalities to improve and streamline IP implementation as well as institutionalise agricultural innovation systems and innovation platforms.
Dr Agyemang said the low production in agricultural and other environmental and health issues required technological solutions, which the CSIR had the task to resolve through research.
He said the Council through its various institutions had carried out many research and development activities that continued to improve varieties of crops, livestock and fisheries and those that promote construction and agro-processing.
“The challenge then is how to ensure the adoption of these technologies by the private sector,” he said.
