Dumelo: Deputy MInister urges youth to embrace dry season farming for profit

The Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, John Dumelo, has urged Ghanaians, especially the youth, to capitalise on dry season farming as a viable and profitable economic opportunity.

Speaking at the Citi Business Forum in Accra on Thursday, June 19, held under the theme “Harnessing Agribusiness for Economic Growth: Expanding Ghana’s Agribusiness Frontiers,” Mr Dumelo emphasised that with proper planning and access to irrigation, dry season farming can yield significant returns.

“I want to encourage each and every one to get into farming,” he said. “The thing about farming is times and seasons, but let’s try as much as possible to farm in the dry season. If you have some land, get it by the water side and do irrigation.”

Drawing on his own experience as a farmer, the Deputy Minister highlighted the dramatic differences in market prices between the regular and dry seasons.

“It will interest you to know that I used to do cabbage. Now, cabbage is around GHS1,200 per bag during the regular season, but in the dry season, it goes for about GHS4,000 per bag,” he revealed.

This price disparity, he explained, is driven by high demand and reduced supply during the dry months—offering farmers a unique window to maximise profits.

Mr Dumelo encouraged the public to reframe their perception of agriculture—from a traditional livelihood to a strategic business enterprise aligned with market trends and modern tools.

“That means if you are a cabbage farmer in the dry season, there is money there – you will make money,” he stressed.

He called on young Ghanaians to explore agribusiness opportunities not only to earn income, but also to contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s broader economic development and food security.