Agribusinesses must invest across entire value chain, not just land and machinery – Gladys Sampson

Agribusiness professionals advocate for a comprehensive investment approach across the entire agricultural value chain rather than focusing solely on land, production, and machinery, according to Gladys Sampson. Speaking at the Ecobank-Joy Business Financial Dialogue Series on September 22, Sampson emphasized that businesses that limit their investments to one aspect of the value chain risk hindering their ability to achieve broader goals.

The dialogue, themed “Green Finance, Real Impact: Powering Inclusive Agri-Growth in Ghana,” gathered agribusinesses, entrepreneurs, regulators, and stakeholders to discuss financing and sustainable growth within the sector. Sampson highlighted the importance of adopting an integrated investment strategy, stating that while acquiring land and investing in industrial machinery are crucial, they are not sufficient on their own.

She argued that to drive business growth, companies must consider the entire value chain and how to integrate it to foster growth. Sampson cautioned against overemphasizing a single component, as it could isolate businesses and impede achieving comprehensive objectives. She underscored the necessity of incorporating research into investment strategies, noting that businesses often neglect this area while focusing primarily on production and inputs.

Sampson argued that researchers should be integral to agribusiness investment approaches, urging businesses to allocate resources towards research to enhance productivity and develop new solutions. Her remarks follow ongoing discussions on enhancing access to finance for businesses throughout Ghana's agricultural value chain. The Ecobank-Joy Business dialogue is exploring practical methods to mobilize capital to modernize agriculture and support enterprises at various stages of the value chain.

These discussions coincide with broader efforts to expand agricultural financing, exemplified by a partnership announced in May 2026 between Ecobank Group and AGRA. This initiative aims to improve access to finance for agribusinesses, farmer organizations, and various actors within agricultural value chains, including through tailored financial products, risk-sharing mechanisms, and blended finance.

Sampson, however, stressed that financing agricultural growth must transcend mere production support. She advocated for a holistic view of the sector, urging businesses to integrate the different stages of the value chain and allocate greater attention to research as part of their investment strategies.