Author: Sefakor

In a bid to keep the vegetable sector vibrant and economically beneficial, Dr. Felix Kamassah, the president of the Vegetable Producers and Exporters Association of Ghana (VEPEAG) and managing partner of Maphlix Trust Ghana Limited, the largest vegetable farm in West Africa, has lauded the Food and Agricultural Ministry for its efforts to rehabilitate some abandoned greenhouses in the Dawhenya Irrigation Scheme area. According to Dr. Kamassah, the move by the ministry will exponentially increase vegetable yields while providing jobs for interested farmers and young people. Speaking to The Ghanaian Farmer, Dr. Kamassah highlighted the benefits of vegetable production to…

The Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) and the Coconut Federation of Ghana (COCOFEG) have convened a high level discussion on sustainable ways of growing of Ghana’s coconut industry. The engagement brought together key stakeholders, focused on addressing challenges in the coconut sector, navigating for opportunities, and enhancing collaboration between the two bodies. Speaking at the event, the President of COCOFEG, Patrick Ndabiah reiterated the significance of value addition to maximise the economic growth of the coconut industry. “It is through value addition that we can realize the full potential of the tree. While production is ongoing, there should be a…

In a bid to curb the devastating impact of illegal mining on cash crops; especially, cocoa, cashew, coconut and rubber crops, the Tree Crop Development Authority (TCDA) says it is ready to fight the menace, popularly called ‘galamsey’, through the establishment of a task force with the help of regional coordinating councils, and the security agencies. Illegal mining in recent times has destroyed vast farmlands, displacing farmers and threatening food security. The practice has led to severe environmental degradation, including deforestation and water pollution, which further harm agricultural productivity. Chemicals used in mining, such as mercury and cyanide, contaminate soil…

President John Dramani Mahama says Ghana, which is currently the second leading cocoa producer in the world, is ready to share technical support and expertise in the production of the cash crop with Liberia. According to President Mahama, he has had bilateral talks with Liberia’s President, Joseph Boakai on how the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) could partner Liberia to strengthen cocoa production using modern methods as a joint venture between their two countries. President Mahama disclosed this to journalists at the credential ceremony at Jubilee House, whilst receiving letters of credence from Mrs Musu Jatu Ruhle, Ambassador of Liberia to…

Smallholder cocoa farmers in Ghana have launched a central coordinating association in hopes to become a part of the decision-making processes in the cocoa sector, to ensure representation of their interest as key stakeholders in cocoa production. The Ghana Cooperative Cocoa Farmers and Marketing Association Limited (GCCFA), as they are known, comprises of 75 cooperative unions from nine cocoa-growing regions in Ghana. Before the creation of the Association, cocoa farmers’ cooperative unions, each comprising of various cooperatives within a region, operated independently and in isolation, which made engagement at different decision-making levels within the cocoa value chain limited to only…

The National Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) says it needs about GH¢700 million desperately to enable it to carry out its task of stocking food on behalf of the nation. This was made known by the Chief Executive Officer of NAFCO, George Abradu-Otoo. According to him, the company was instituted to stock food on behalf of the country as an intervention measure in the event of any food shortage or unforeseen disasters in the country. In an interview with the Daily Graphic, Mr Abradu-Otoo said “Our mandate is to stock food on behalf of the nation, in order to be able…

Cashew production plays a significant role in Ghana’s economy, particularly in rural development and export revenues. The cashew sector employs over 200,000 Ghanaians, mostly in rural areas. This contributes significantly to poverty alleviation and improving livelihoods in these regions. However, in recent times, the alarming rise of illegal mining, known locally as ‘galamsey’, has begun to devastate cashew farms in Bono Region – posing threats to the sustainability of cashew production and livelihoods of many farmers. Illegal miners in the Bono region have encroached some cashew production areas in Wenchi Municipality and Banda District, with their activities causing significant damage…

The Israeli Economic and Trade Mission in Ghana has organised an engagement with Vegetable Producers and Exporters in Ghana on using modern technologies to boost vegetable production targeting the international market. Under the theme: “Bridging Innovation and Growth in Vegetable Production and Export “, the event sought to enhance Ghana’s vegetable industry through Israeli agri-tech innovations, whilst offering training and workshops to enhance vegetable farmers’ expertise. Speaking to journalists at the sidelines of the meeting at the Tang Palace hotel in Accra on 12 March, 2025, the Ambassador of Israel to Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone, Roey Gilad highlighted the…

The vegetable industry in Ghana is currently being recognised for its massive contribution to the country’s economic growth and food security, and as a result, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) has pledged that, it is committed to promoting a conducive environment for the growth of the vegetable sector in the country. Speaking on behalf of the sector Minister during an engagement with Vegetable Producers and Exporters in Ghana, organised by the Israeli Economic and Trade Mission to Ghana on 12 March, 2025 at the Tang Palace Hotel in Accra, Paul Siameh who is the Acting chief Director at…

The Minister for Finance, Dr. Casiel Ato Forson has reiterated the government’s position to support the agricultural sector in Ghana for transformation and job creation. Delivering his speech on the country’s budget statement and economic policy at Parliament House in Accra on Tuesday, 11 March, 2025, the finance minister indicated that, “ the government has allocated an amount of 1.5 billion Ghana cedis for the agricultural for economic transformational programmes, Feed Ghana, Vegetable Development Project and Nkoko Nketenkete as key components.” The Poultry Farm to Table initiative, otherwise referred to as ‘Nkoko nketenkete’ programme by the government is an initiative…