Celebrating the Hands That Feed the Nation

On Friday, December 5, 2025, Ghana marked the 41st National Farmers’ Day under the theme “Feed Ghana, Eat Ghana and Secure the Future.” It was a day to honour the resilience, dedication, and innovation of those whose labour sustains every household and drives significant portions of the economy.

From the cocoa farmers of the Western North to the rice producers of the northern savannah, and from coastal fisherfolk to poultry farmers, millions of Ghanaians work tirelessly to ensure the nation is fed.

The 2025 National Best Farmer, 82-year-old Mr. Abraham Kwaku Adusei of Kkwawu Odumasu in the Afram Plains District, exemplifies this commitment. Cultivating 300 acres of rice, 600 acres of maize, 207 acres of mango, 300 acres of cashew, 1,000 acres of cocoa, and 120 acres of vegetables, Mr. Adusei’s achievement is a testament to vision, hard work, and perseverance. His recognition, complete with a tractor, farming accessories, and GH¢1.2 million, symbolizes the nation’s gratitude and the value of agricultural excellence.

Addressing farmers and citizens at Ho, the Volta Regional capital, President John Dramani Mahama lauded Ghanaian farmers for leading the country’s economic recovery. He called for schools at all levels to establish their own farms to supplement the national school feeding programme and instil agricultural skills in the youth.

“It is time for primary and senior high schools to produce their own vegetables and poultry,” the President stressed, adding that such initiatives would provide reliable nutrition and encourage interest in agriculture among the young.

Government support, as President Mahama noted, extends beyond policy rhetoric. Opportunities such as the lifting of export taxes on Ghanaian products by the United States present avenues for farmers to expand production and earn foreign revenue. He further encouraged farmers to form cooperatives, offering access to credit facilities at interest rates below ten percent, reinforcing the message that agriculture is both profitable and essential.

Challenges remain. Unpredictable weather patterns, inadequate irrigation, post-harvest losses, limited access to affordable credit, and rising input costs continue to hinder productivity. Climate change, manifested through droughts, floods, and shifting rainfall, compounds these difficulties, necessitating deliberate strategies such as expanded irrigation, drought-resistant crops, and improved forecasting systems.

The Ghanaian Times noted that it was an 82-year-old farmer who emerged as the overall best farmer, raising the question: are the youth of Ghana ready to embrace agriculture? Attracting young people into the sector remains an urgent priority. Without incentives such as technology, modern equipment, agribusiness support, and clear market linkages, the sector risks decline.

Success stories of young agripreneurs across the country demonstrate that agriculture can be profitable and innovative when the right environment is created. Policies must therefore emphasize entrepreneurship, training, and access to capital for youth.

Post-harvest management is also critical. Ghana continues to lose significant portions of its annual harvest due to inadequate storage, poor transport, and limited processing facilities, with losses reaching 30–40 percent. Strategic investments in warehousing, cold chain systems, and agro-processing in rural communities are essential to safeguard farmers’ yields.

Women, too, play indispensable roles across agricultural value chains, from cultivation and processing to marketing. Ensuring they have access to land, credit, training, and safe working conditions is both a social imperative and an economic necessity.

National Farmers’ Day reminds us that the food on our tables is neither accidental nor guaranteed. It is the product of sacrifice, hard work, and resilience. As we celebrate our farmers, we must match words with action through sustained investment, sound policy, and genuine appreciation for the hands that feed the nation. Ghana owes its sustenance, economic stability, and future security to its farmers. Let us salute them not just in ceremonies and awards, but through a collective commitment to build a vibrant, modern, and sustainable agricultural sector that can feed Ghana, secure its future, and inspire generations to come.

???? Follow Ghanaian Times WhatsApp Channel today. https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAjG7g3gvWajUAEX12Q
???? Trusted News. Real Stories. Anytime, Anywhere.
? Join our WhatsApp Channel now! https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAjG7g3gvWajUAEX12Q

The post Celebrating the Hands That Feed the Nation appeared first on Ghanaian Times.

Read Full Story