Thread by @Agro_Centre

"It's another rainy day
but, the farmer doesn't complain."

In a short while, we will kick-off today's edition of our Tweet Chat Series, #TheAfricanFarmersStories, a programme that recognizes and celebrates the #African farmer.

My name is Edobong Akpabio, your host. Welcome!

Evans Larbi is the CEO of Beit farms, one of the major companies in the Agricultural industry in Ghana. He is a young farmer whose inspiration stems from an early introduction to farming as a family activity.
#TheAfricanFarmersStories

Evans is a Farmer, Aggregator, Facilitator, Trainer, Marketer and Advocate for Rural Women & Youth in Agriculture. He has confidence that Agriculture is Africa’s answer to economic and unemployment challenges.
#TheAfricanFarmersStories

Evans believes that, just like any other profession, Agriculture is equally prestigious and with much awareness and digitization, it will be treated with the prominence it deserves.
#TheAfricanFarmersStories

Evans' commitment to his mission is beyond profit gains. He is dedicated to contributing immensely, to the growth of #Agriculture and #Agribusiness in Africa's sub region of West Africa. Please join me to welcome the Gentle Farmer, Evans Larbi.
#TheAfricanFarmersStories

Q1. Evans, once again, let me welcome you to #TheAfricanFarmersStories

It's a great pleasure having you on our seat today. I'm curious, why are you called the Gentle Farmer?

Q2. You've been involved in agriculture from a much younger age. Take us through your growing up years and your experience in the family farming business.
#TheAfricanFarmersStories

Q3. Compare the agriculture terrain at that time in Ghana as a young man and the industry now as an agropreneur. Tell us about what progress has been made or otherwise.
#TheAfricanFarmersStories

Q4. Tell us about @BeitFarms
How did you put this venture together?
What's your purpose?
What's your dream?
How are you going about the achievement?
#TheAfricanFarmersStories

Q5. What are the challenges you have faced, and probably, still facing, in managing your business in fulfillment of your mission? What are the challenges that many other farmers are facing as they pursue farming as a means of livelihood?
#TheAfricanFarmersStories

Q6. Having started off as a smallholder farmer, what are the factors that helped you to scale-up? Bearing in mind, that Africa has millions of smallholder farmers, how can their contribution to food production & security be recognized & acknowledged?
#TheAfricanFarmersStories

Q7. Many global organizations & institutions have sent out word that #Africa will be the world's food basket, post-COVID19. What does this news mean to the #African farmer? What should be their response? What should be the response of Africa's leaders?
#TheAfricanFarmersStories

Q8. What support systems have been/are available to you and other farmers in Ghana?

Are they sufficient? If no, what more needs to be done? What can the farmers themselves do to be more productive and their business, more profitable?
#TheAfricanFarmersStories

Q9. Let's talk about #COVID19

How did the crisis and consequent #lockdown affect the business of #agriculture in Ghana. I came across information about your involvement and activities during this period but tell us more.
#TheAfricanFarmersStories

Q10. How will you describe the impact of the #COVID19 pandemic on agribusiness in #Africa?

What did #Africa gain and lose?
What lessons can we learn and put those lessons to good use?
How can farmers take their rightful place in #Africa post-COVID19
#TheAfricanFarmersStories

Q11. Food is important to #Africa
With a population of about 1.216 billion people, production and consumption of food is priority in #Africa but why is #Africa still importing food that it has comparative production advantage, wasting away its income?
#TheAfricanFarmersStories

Q12. How can #African farmers be inspired, motivated and challenged to participate in agriculture policies conception and implementation as a step towards taking their place on the governance 'table'?
#TheAfricanFarmersStories

Q13. According to the @UN, #Africa has about 226 million youths aged 15-24 (2015); representing nearly 20% of the population and one fifth of the world's youth population. How would you describe the involvement of Africa's youths in #agribusiness?
#TheAfricanFarmersStories

Q14. There's more to agribusiness. #Madagascar has thrown a global challenge in food-to-medicine with its herbal remedy, COVID-Organics. What more can #Africa promote with its strength in #agriculture?
#TheAfricanFarmersStories

Q15. Let's have your sincere advice for aspiring and existing agropreneurs; share an opportunity pointer; your big Picture for #Africa; an encouragement for Africa's youth; and the nexus between #agriculture and governance for Africa's leaders.
#TheAfricanFarmersStories

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