Somanya: Farmers in Yilo Krobo and neighbouring communities have been urged to deepen their understanding of land laws, manage farming as a serious business venture, and adopt safe, sustainable agricultural practices to enhance productivity and safeguard their livelihoods. This call was made at the Farmers Care Programme, organised by Eminence Lead International (NGO) for the Yilo Krobo Mango Farmers Association (YKMFA) at the YKMFA in Somanya.
According to Ghana News Agency, the event, themed 'Sustainable Agriculture Business Practices and Innovative Agri-Entrepreneurship for Robust Agricultural Development,' brought together over 300 mango farmers, alongside agricultural stakeholders, financial institutions, and development partners, for a full-day capacity-building engagement aimed at strengthening the agricultural value chain in the area. The programme focused on equipping farmers with practical knowledge on land rights and laws, agribusiness finance, agrochemical safety, and innovative agri-entrepreneurship, as part of broader efforts to promote sustainable agriculture, rural development, and food security.
Delivering a presentation, the Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG), Dr. Joseph Kobla Wemakor, educated participants on understanding land rights and laws as a farmer, stressing that land was the backbone of farming and that limited knowledge of land ownership systems continued to expose farmers to exploitation, disputes, and loss of livelihoods. He explained that land rights refer to the legal or customary authority to own, use, and manage land, outlining forms such as ownership, leasehold, communal or customary land, and tenancy arrangements, and noted that secure land tenure encouraged long-term investment, promotes peace, and protects livelihoods.
On Ghana's legal framework, he highlighted key statutes including the Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036), the Administration of Lands Act, 1962, and the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands Act, 1994, while underscoring the roles of the Lands Commission, traditional authorities, and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources. He also identified persistent challenges confronting farmers, including boundary disputes, lack of land documentation, gender discrimination in land access and inheritance, corruption, and encroachment by developers and mining companies.
He urged farmers to properly document land transactions, register lands with the Lands Commission, engage qualified surveyors and credible witnesses, join farmer associations, and seek legal advice before signing agreements, reminding them that 'knowledge of your rights is the seed of empowerment. Protect it, and your farm will flourish.'
In another key presentation, the Unit Head of AgroMarketing and Sales at the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB), Mr. Nicholas Nikoi, challenged farmers to approach agriculture strictly as a business and not a hobby. He warned against excessive and unplanned spending, noting that a farm may appear productive but still fail if costs outweigh returns, and guided participants through practical financial management strategies aimed at building resilient and profitable farm enterprises.
He outlined seven key principles for prudent financial management-setting clear priorities, budgeting, paying bills promptly, controlling debt, investing regularly, ensuring farms and livelihoods, and planning for retirement-while cautioning that debt, though useful, can be destructive if poorly managed. He urged farmers to borrow only when necessary and to ensure loans were used strictly for their intended purposes, likening debt to fire that can either cook food or burn a house if not handled carefully. He also emphasised the importance of proper record-keeping, noting that good financial records enhance credibility and improve access to financial support from banks and other financial institutions.
The Technical Manager (Operations) of the Cocoa Health and Extension Division of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr. Felix Kwame Appiah, delivered a comprehensive session on the safe use of agrochemicals, explaining that insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, and pesticides are biologically active chemicals that must be handled responsibly to protect human health, the environment, and product quality. He educated farmers on climate-smart agriculture, integrated pest management, and the need to select appropriate agrochemicals based on expert advice, while outlining proper procedures for purchasing, transporting, storing, measuring, mixing, and applying agrochemicals.
Organisers expressed gratitude to key sponsors and partners whose support ensured the success of the programme.