By Prince ASUMAH
The Chamber of Agribusiness is calling for professionalisation of farmer associations under the ISO 18716 framework, as part of efforts to align Ghana’s agricultural sector with international standards and best practices.
ISO 18716 is a global standard developed over seven years through the collaboration of 27 countries. It provides a universal framework for professionalising farmer organisations (FOs) and agribusinesses, enabling them to operate with greater efficiency, governance and sustainability.
The standard is designed to help cooperatives, associations and unions adopt structured systems that enhance performance and competitiveness in global markets.
Speaking at the ISO 18716 National Validation Workshop held at the University of Ghana, Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber, Anthony Morrison, highlighted the standard’s broad benefits.
“Agribusiness and farmer organisations that pursue professionalisation under ISO 18716 will unlock transformative advantages across economic, social and operational dimensions,” he said.
He added that adoption of the standard is expected to streamline operational processes and reduce waste by between 15 and 30 percent.
The push for ISO compliance follows persistent challenges faced by Ghanaian farmers, particularly in accessing international markets. Non-compliance with global standards, especially in horticulture, has led to significant trade barriers. In 2014, the European Union imposed a ban on gourds and certain Asian vegetables from Ghana due to concerns over pest infestation – resulting in losses exceeding US$30million.
According to a 2024 Business and Financial Times report, the issue of international rejection continues to plague the sector due to standards non-conformity.
The call for urgent adoption of ISO 18716 was echoed by several other stakeholders at the workshop. Josephine Ecklu, Business Manager-Rikolto International, underscored the need for farmer professionalisation as a critical step toward agro-industrial transformation. She urged authorities to formalise smallholder farmer groups under the ISO 18716 framework to ensure consistent quality and traceability in agricultural production.
The validation workshop was organised by the Chamber of Agribusiness in partnership with Agribusiness Market Ecosystem Alliance (AMEA), bringing together key stakeholders across the agribusiness value chain.
The Chamber believes that empowering farmer organisations as professional enterprises will not only improve market access but also shift smallholder farming from a subsistence model to a commercially viable business – while addressing entrenched vulnerabilities such as modern slavery.
