Abu, a Ghanaian farmer, appeared on SVTV Africa’s Business Link show, where he spoke passionately about the challenges facing farmers in Ghana, particularly irrigation, access to capital, and government support.
According to Abu, the government has failed to adequately address irrigation problems, leaving many farmers vulnerable. In an interview with DJ Nyaami, he revealed that a large number of farmers continue to suffer due to the lack of proper irrigation systems. He emphasized that every farmer needs capital and basic infrastructure to succeed.
Abu explained that although he saves with an agricultural bank, farmers receive very little support when they need loans or assistance. He called on banks and financial institutions to listen to farmers’ concerns and urged the government to prioritize small-scale manufacturing and agro-processing as part of agricultural development.
He further noted that instead of supporting local production, many farmers are forced to sell their produce to foreign buyers. Abu revealed that all his caravan produce was sold to a Chinese company. Although the buyers initially encouraged farmers to grow more, they later reduced prices during the purchasing stage. According to him, once these companies have enough suppliers, they deliberately drive prices down, leaving farmers at a disadvantage.
Abu compared this to commodities like palm nuts and cocoa, stating that cocoa remains one of the cheapest commodities on the market despite the massive investments involved. He stressed that large-scale buyers often dominate pricing because they have the capital, leaving small farmers with little bargaining power. He noted that palm oil is now more expensive than gari, yet farmers still struggle.
He urged the government to create proper market centers where farmers can sell their produce at fair prices. Abu also called for the establishment of small-scale processing factories, which would create employment and add value to farm products. He suggested that farmers could repay government support through incentives and structured arrangements.
Abu raised concerns about the misuse of chemicals in farming, explaining that many farmers apply chemicals incorrectly due to a lack of education. He recommended that agricultural extension officers be provided with motorcycles so they can reach remote villages to monitor and guide farmers effectively. He added that many farmers have lost trust in the government, and there is no reliable data on the number of farmers in each community.
According to Abu, encouraging more young people to venture into agriculture is possible, but poor implementation of policies remains a major obstacle. He noted that nearly 50 percent of Ghanaians are already engaged in farming, and expanding the sector without proper planning would take a long time.
He explained that if a farmer sells sweet potatoes at GH¢700 per bag, they can produce an average of 10 to 12 bags per harvest. However, without proper storage facilities, much of the produce goes to waste.
Abu emphasized the urgent need for storage facilities to ensure food security, stating that without proper storage, Ghana risks suffering during periods of hunger and food shortages.
He concluded by sharing that he is a caravan farmer who also produces high-quality kenkey, which he supplies across Accra.
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