President John Dramani Mahama has called on Ghanaians in formal employment to consider farming as an additional stream of income, stressing that agriculture is no longer an occupation reserved for rural dwellers or full-time farmers.
Addressing the 41st National Farmers’ Day celebration in Ho on Friday, December 5, the President dismissed the long-held notion that farming is meant only for “village folks,” arguing that such stereotypes limit the sector’s potential and discourage participation from the urban workforce.
According to him, professionals across various fields—teachers, civil servants, and private sector employees—are capable of blending their regular jobs with productive farming ventures.
“You can work and still be a farmer,” President Mahama said. “Teachers and civil servants can go to work and still operate farms, and the income from these ventures can support their households.”
He noted that embracing agriculture as a side enterprise would boost family earnings and help strengthen Ghana’s food security while cutting down on imports.
The President further urged prospective part-time farmers to take advantage of modern technologies, including irrigation systems and improved seedlings, which can sustain productivity even when they are not physically present on their farms.
Mahama reaffirmed his government’s commitment to policies that make agriculture appealing and profitable for all categories of workers, stating that broadening participation in the sector remains essential for national development.