Agriculture isn’t only for the village folks — Mahama rallies workers to farm

President John Dramani Mahama has called for a national shift toward a modern and inclusive agricultural economy, urging Ghanaians across all professions to embrace farming as both a financial cushion and a pathway to stronger food security.

Speaking at the 41st National Farmers’ Day celebration in Ho, the President said Ghana cannot rely solely on traditional full-time farmers if it hopes to stabilise food prices and reduce its dependence on imports. He encouraged workers in formal employment to consider farming as a viable second income.

“Agriculture isn’t only for the village folks,” he said. “You can work and still be a farmer. Teachers and civil servants can go to work and have farms, and the money from the farm can supplement their incomes.”

President Mahama noted that modern farming tools, including improved seedlings, irrigation systems, and technology-driven monitoring, now make it possible for part-time farmers to maintain productivity without being on their farms every day.

He also renewed his push for affordable agricultural financing, warning that high-interest loans continue to drain farmers’ profits and discourage expansion.

“We must provide credit at single-digit rates so our farmers can grow to feed Ghana,” he stressed, adding that many farmers “end up working for the banks instead of working for themselves” due to prohibitive lending conditions.

Mahama said his administration is committed to creating an enabling environment that makes agriculture attractive, accessible, and profitable for all categories of workers.