A three day stakeholders meeting in the groundnut sub sector value chain is currently underway at the Agricultural Training Centre in Jenoi, Lower River Region.

The Meeting, which kicked off on Monday 19th of November 2012, has drawn participants from all the Cooperative Primary Marketing Societies across the country.

The objective of the stakeholders' meeting, which is organized by Agribusiness Services and Producers Association (ASPA) and funded by the International Trade Centre, is to identify the challenges confronting the groundnut value chain and map out strategies in addressing them.

It is recognized by the stakeholders that quality assurance cannot be achieved or guaranteed without adequate sensitization, training and capacity building in the handling of the produce by the producers.

Hence, the participants are expected to dilate and discuss the following issues: Market Objectives and proposed evolution (beyond bird food and key performance constraints related to) Marketing, Management, Quality Issues and structure to respond to new Markets; Research and Development; Agricultural best practices, Linking Research and Development; the Experience of Farmer Field School approach; Cooperative Management, Principles and set up including the role of Agribusiness Technical Unit; Pest Management at all levels within the value chain; Statement on Trade Policy; Secco Operation including precautionary measures, Accuracy of weighing equipment and screens; Quality Controlling at the levels of CPMSs, Depots and Factories; the status Quo of the Private Trade and their associations within the value chain; Importance of Quality in Groundnut Marketing and the set standard for both National and International Markets; Access to International Markets Constraints, bottle necks; and statement by ASPA Chairman for the start of the new Groundnut Marketing Season.