Author: Sefakor
The Minority in Parliament has risen to defend former President John Mahama and his claims about the cocoa sector. John Mahama claims the country’s cocoa sector is on the verge of collapse because of the mismanagement of the sector by the government. Addressing party supporters and branch executives at the start of his two-day campaign tour of the Western North Region, Mr Mahama said the government’s failure to adjust the producer price of cocoa annually delayed payment of farmers for cocoa beans combined with other factors to destroy the sector. Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) refuted claims by the former that…
The U.S. Government hosted its first-ever “Women in Agribusiness” Summit in Accra, Ghana – On April 26, 2023. The event showcased investment opportunities in Ghanaian agribusinesses led by women and connected women entrepreneurs to investors for financing. The event, hosted by the USAID-supported Feed the Future Ghana Mobilizing Finance in Agriculture (MFA) Activity, focused on empowering women in agriculture through enhanced access to finance. It brought together agribusinesses, transaction advisors, investors, financial institutions, U.S. and Ghana government representatives, non-governmental organizations, trade associations, research institutions, civil society groups and the media. In her remarks, Kimberly Rosen, Mission director for USAID Ghana,…
Connecting small-scale food producers with larger agrifood companies can go a long way to ensuring global food security. In a statement released today by Alvaro Lario, President of the UN’s International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Tetsuro Nomura, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (MAFF), the two leaders announced the launch of the Enhanced Linkages between Private Sector and Small-scale Producers initiative (ELPS) which will be presented at the G7 Agricultural Meeting in Miyazaki later this week. The agreement between IFAD and MAFF of Japan promises to strengthen their strategic partnership with the aim to make small-scale…
Schools under the National School Feeding Programme are likely to go hungry as caterers have declared a nationwide strike citing the government’s inability to pay them their arrears and increase the amount per child.The aggrieved caterers who came from different regions across Ghana converged in the Ashanti regional capital, Kumasi emphasized that declaring the nationwide strike is the only option available to them now.During a news conference to make their grievances known, the caterers lamented that they are enduring so much as the hardship in the economy is unbearable. The leadership of the caterers has thus urged all members across…
A Ghanaian teacher-turned multiple crops farmer, Samuel Donkor has been sharing some useful tips on growing cinnamon, one of the highly imported spices that is loved by many Ghanaians. Talking to Enyonam Manye, the host of the Ghanaian Farmer TV Show, he stated that cinnamon is a generational cash crop that needs to be embraced by farmers in Ghana. “Cinnamon is an aromatic plant which medical and basically people think it’s only an imported plant but can be grown here in Ghana. Essential oil is also extracted from it, which is used by pharmaceuticals,” he said. Talking about land, Mr…
Sekondi College, a Senior High School in the Western Region has defied odds to cushion the government’s efforts in supplying food to the school by engaging in school projects. Talking to the Ghanaian Farmer TV Show in an interview, the Headmistress of the school Mrs Kermah stated that the school has been known for using its vast land for farming since 2001 but was using the services of prisoners and other labourers. However, the school management has decided actively engage students in farm projects where proceeds from the various crops are used to feed the students while another part is…
Dr. Daniel Masaba is a chicken farmer who owns one of the biggest poultry farms in East Africa after he left his former medical doctor profession to venture into full-time chicken farming. According to an interview he had with Youtuber, Wode Maya, it was such a difficult decision he made as poultry farming is regarded as a job for the poor. Daniel has been farming for the last five years after starting with about 800 chickens on his father’s piece of land. He currently owns 400 acres of land housing more than 20,000 chickens, over 150 cattle, over 750 goats…
Poultry farming business is one of the sectors many experts have predicted as a cash cow for investors due to the high demand for poultry products, especially chicken and eggs. However, the sector has been struggling to grow in Ghana with about 85% of farms collapsing, according to the poultry farmers association of Ghana. While sharing best practices on how to make the best out of a poultry farm as a business venture, the Municipal Agric Director, Amenfi West, Patience Amoah Frimpong has shared some tips to help farmers make generate enough revenue from the business. While granting an interview…
Every year, smallholder farmers in Africa suffer yield losses due to changes in timing and length of growing period – a phenomenon induced by changes in rainfall and water availability for irrigation. When farmers record low yields, it is not only their livelihoods that are affected, but the food security, nutritional balance, and an entire value chain of a nation could be plagued and disrupted. Africa’s arable land With Africa possessing more 60 per cent of the world’s arable lands and agriculture employing about 65 per cent of African workers, the sector is key to the continent’s transformation, economic…
Farmers in Ahanta West District of the Western Region have been counting their massive gains through maize production, thanks to some three varieties of maize seedlings. According to a teacher and the team lead for the Ahanta West Maize Growers and Buyers Association, Osagyefo, after introducing the three hybrid seedlings known as Lake, Pioneer and Pannar, farmers in the area have increased their yields about five times of what they used to get in past using local maize seedlings. “In 2010, my school had a national Best Agricultural Farm award and I was introduced to Panna maize seedlings and I…