Letter to President John Dramani Mahama: Resetting National Farmers Day

Most Ghanaians have embraced the message of President John Mahama on resetting Ghana.

This reset, I believe, will impact every sector of the Ghanaian economy but one of the most significant challenges you may face is addressing the needs of smallholder farmers in rural areas who form the backbone of the country's food production.

In sub-Saharan Africa, about 80 per cent of smallholder farmers feed the population. Investing in their primary resources will significantly increase food crop production.  

I published a similar article in 2018 and 2024, but it did not receive much attention.

Therefore, I wish to present this suggestion to the president and my humble appeal is that if possible National Farmers’ Day could be retitled - "National Farmers’ and Irrigation Day.”  

Boreholes for Best Farmers  

Water, as the saying goes, is life—a truth I firmly believe. For our hardworking smallholder farmers, water is essential for every farm activity, including crop production, fish farming, livestock rearing and even cooking on the farm.

The awards given to farmers over the years have been commendable. However, I propose that in addition to these awards, boreholes should be drilled for each district’s best farmer to support irrigation.

The benefits of this initiative would be immense.  

Currently, Ghana has 261 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).

If 70 per cent of the best district farmers agree to have boreholes drilled on their farms, approximately 183 farmers will receive boreholes annually.

Over four years, this would amount to 732 farmers benefiting from boreholes on their farms.  

For the remaining 30 per cent, hydroponic farming can be introduced.

Many advanced countries, such as the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, Spain, Japan and Australia, have successfully adopted this farming system, and as a result made substantial revenue and enhanced food security.   

Reliable water supply  

Borehole water is sourced from underground and provides a reliable and constant water supply for farming all year round, unaffected by dry seasons.

As a result, farmers will be able to produce more crops consistently, ensuring food security and stabilising food prices at affordable levels.  

Year-round farming will create sustainable employment opportunities for rural youth, reducing the need for them to migrate to urban centers in search of non-existent white collar jobs or menial work.

This initiative will also help curb youth involvement in criminal activities, such as armed robbery.

Ultimately, improved livelihoods in rural areas will lead to a more balanced national development.    

Enhancing education  

With consistent crop production and increased income, farmers will be able to save more money to educate their children, even up to the tertiary level.

This investment in education will empower the next generation to become better farmers, teachers and professionals, using modern irrigation and agricultural techniques. Farmers will also be able to build better homes and improve their standard of living.   

Healthcare in rural areas is often inadequate, leading to preventable deaths.

With a steady income from year-round farming, smallholder farmers can afford quality medical care from professional doctors and specialists rather than relying on over-the-counter medications, which often cause more harm than good. 

This will contribute to increasing the average lifespan of Ghanaians and enhance the country's global reputation for improved life expectancy.    

Climate change poses a significant global challenge, with erratic and unpredictable weather patterns affecting food production.

The depletion of the ozone layer has further exacerbated this problem.

Boreholes on farms will enable farmers to adapt to these challenges, ensuring a stable food supply despite irregular rainfall.

Without reliable water sources, crops struggle to survive, leading to lower yields despite high investments in farming inputs and labour.   

Boosting income for drivers and transport owners  

In rural communities, one of the primary jobs for drivers is transporting harvested crops from farms to market centers.

Year-round farming will ensure that drivers have continuous work, leading to increased incomes for both drivers and transport owners. 

This will also benefit spare parts dealers, as more vehicle maintenance will be required, generating additional tax revenue for the government to fund development projects.    

Improving access to loan facilities  

One of the major challenges faced by smallholder farmers is access to loans from banks and financial institutions.

Lenders are often hesitant due to the high risk of crop failure and low yields.

However, with consistent crop production facilitated by irrigation, financial institutions will be more confident in offering credit facilities, knowing that farmers can repay their loans. 

Additionally, foreign investors will be attracted to Ghana’s agricultural sector, leading to farm expansion for both local consumption and export, ultimately boosting foreign currency inflow.   

Encouraging crop diversification  

Crop diversification is essential for food security and economic stability.

With reliable water sources, farmers can cultivate a wide variety of crops to meet different market demands.

As a Nigerian proverb states, "A farmer who only grows one crop will go hungry if it fails."

Reliable irrigation will enable farmers to grow multiple crops, ensuring a steady income and food supply.  

It will also support fish and livestock farming, further enhancing rural economic growth.    

A borehole drilled for the best district farmer can also benefit neighbouring farmers through shared irrigation systems.

By laying pipes to distribute water to nearby farms, communities can work together to improve agricultural productivity, leading to overall rural development.

Resetting National Farmers Day  

Funding:  

Mechanised boreholes, utilising solar panels, can be expensive; however, funding can be sourced from various areas.

ADB and other banks in each MMDA can be of valuable help.

When the cost is established, each MMDA makes a financial appeal for support to fund the project.  

Micro-financial institutions generate some profits annually, and their support can also be of great help in resetting National Farmers Day.  

Private businessmen and women can offer a philanthropic hand to ensure food security in their MMDA.  

NGOs and GPRTU can also support by contributing to their widow's might.

The government backing can be through a portion of their property rate collection.  

The 24 hours farming will benefit every MMDA and the indigenes so all hands must be on deck to make it a success. Food for all, life for all.  
 

Conclusion  

Providing boreholes for farmers, starting with manual irrigation before introducing advanced irrigation systems, can significantly enhance the impact of the Farmers' Day awards.

I believe these suggestions can help reset and improve Ghana’s Farmers’ Day celebration, ensuring long-term benefits for the nation.   

The writer is the Founder & CEO, Joes Coaching Consult Preacher, author, farmer, personal & family money management coach.

Trainer for NGOs, churches, schools, institutions and individuals. 

zoommartey@gmail.com