A new tractor showroom has opened in Tamale comprising workshop, service and training centers, and spare parts depot, to provide total agriculture solution to the farming community in the Northern Region.

This brings to three the number of showrooms opened by West Africa Agro-Tech Company Ghana Limited (WAATCO GH Limited) selling products including Sonalika tractors, Kirloskar Generator set, and oil engines and water pumps.

Mr Akoliya Patel, Chairman of WAATCO GH Limited, who spoke during the opening of the showroom over the weekend, said it formed part of the company’s drive to partner with government to promote mechanized agriculture in the country.

Mr Patel said “WAATCO GH Limited will train Ghanaians locally and also give job opportunities to the youth in various fields of technology and service to help farmers across the country” to use the high-performing rugged Sonalika tractors to improve agricultural production.

“We, therefore, seek support from the government on a public-private partnership to enable us up-scale delivery of tractors, farm implements and services to farmers across the country in a more sustainable manner,” he stated.

Alhaji Mohammed-Muniru Limuna, Minister for Food and Agriculture, said government had taken various steps to improve agriculture production and commended WAATCO GH Limited for complementing government’s efforts to make farming appealing and rewarding to farmers.

Mr Philip Abayori, President of Ghana Agriculture Chamber of Commerce, lauded the opening of the showroom, saying it was in line with the country’s Medium Term Agricultural Investment Programme (METASIP), which encouraged private sector participation in delivering mechanization agriculture.

Mr Abayori said mechanization was key to agricultural transformation and modernization as it would create job opportunities as well as increase the raw material base for industry to grow to enhance exports and attract foreign exchange for economic empowerment.