Christopher is a cabbage farmer based Osiem in the Eastern Region of Ghana. He believes that farming cabbage in Ghana is profitable, with a single bag selling for 1,700 GHC. If done well, within three months, he can sell up to 10 bags, which generates a substantial income. Christopher emphasizes the importance of taking care of your appearance when farming—just as you wouldn’t go to school without changing or bathing, you should dress properly for farming.
Though he graduated from teacher training college last year in the Volta Region, Christopher pursued farming as a side hustle after finding that the salary offered to teachers, between 300-400 GHC, was too low. He had no prior knowledge of farming but learned from fellow vegetable farmers and realized the importance of using seeds for cabbage farming. Over time, he managed to grow his cabbage farm and achieve success. He is now focused on managing the farm and continuing with farming as his primary venture.
Christopher’s journey into farming began when he was struggling to find a job after his training. He had to call his senior sister for financial help, and his parents doubted his ability to succeed in farming. However, after learning the ropes of farming, including the use of cabbage seeds and fertilizers, he was able to prove them wrong. Farming, especially cabbage farming, is the main occupation in his town, and he started on his senior brother’s land. Despite the high cost of cabbage seeds and the need for regular maintenance, such as spraying pesticides and ensuring adequate water supply, Christopher found the job to be rewarding.
The challenges of farming include the physical demands and costs of hiring workers. However, he has learned to overcome these issues by starting small and gradually expanding. The use of pumping machines and pipes helps with irrigation, and they have attracted buyers who pay for the cabbage even before it is packaged and transported. He advises other beginners to start small and see the challenges firsthand before committing fully to farming.
The price of cabbage fluctuates in the market, with one bag selling for 1,700 GHC at one point and 2,700 GHC at another. One acre of land can yield 35-40 bags of cabbage. In addition to cabbage, Christopher is growing okra and plans to rotate crops to maintain soil health. He learned that it’s not a good idea to grow cabbage immediately after harvesting, as it depletes the soil. He also points out that farming is not an easy job—it requires patience and investment, similar to the long wait for cocoa to mature.
In an interview with DJ Nyaami in Business Link Christopher revealed that he used to believe farming was a job for illiterate people, but after experiencing it firsthand, he now sees it as a viable and profitable business. He encourages others, especially the youth, to consider farming as a career. He has even received money from people he doesn’t know to help them buy land and start farming in Ghana. He wants to inspire others to take up farming and not look down on it as a profession. He believes that not everyone can have a white-collar job, and without farmers, there would be no food.
Christopher also mentioned the importance of staying cautious in the face of scams, sharing that some individuals have used his name fraudulently. He encourages the youth to remain cautious and to seek out legitimate opportunities.
In his final message to the youth, Christopher urges them not to underestimate the value of farming and to consider it as a serious and profitable career option. He also noted his support for Deputy Agriculture Minister John Dumelo, who advocates for agriculture in Ghana.
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