As Ghana grapples with economic challenges ranging from inflation and debt distress to currency depreciation, the search for homegrown solutions has become more urgent than ever. Amid these trials, agriculture emerges as a promising trump card— an underutilized yet powerful sector.
For decades, agriculture has been the bedrock of Ghana’s economy, providing employment for huge part of the population and contributing significantly to GDP. Despite the recent focus on industrialization and the digital economy, it is increasingly clear that revitalizing the agricultural sector holds the key to sustainable economic growth. With global disruptions affecting supply chains and food security, Ghana stands at a critical juncture— where harnessing the full potential of its fertile lands, youthful workforce, and agro-based industries could steer the nation toward economic recovery and resilience.
Prof. Irene S. Egyir, an esteemed Agricultural Economist and the Dean of the School of Agriculture at the University of Ghana, whose deep expertise and leadership in Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness brought critical insights to the role of agriculture as a cornerstone for reviving Ghana’s economy.
Despite contributing approximately 20% to Ghana’s GDP, agriculture remains an underutilized asset in the country’s economic revival strategy, according to data from the Ghana Statistical Service. On the specific structural and policy barriers that limit agriculture’s full economic contribution, Prof. Egyir believes that while policies and frameworks are well-intentioned and inclusive, their implementation often falls short due to gaps between planning and budgeting.
Leading this discourse, Prof. Egyir emphasized that the structure for agricultural policymaking in Ghana is sound. “As for the structure, for the 30 years that I have been part of roundtables, I will say there is not much of a problem,” she noted. She cited the Food and Agriculture Sector Development Policy (FASDEP), which began in 2000 and has evolved through multiple consultative phases, including FASDEP I, II, and plans for a third.
Prof. Egyir explained that these policies are highly consultative, involving academia, development partners, farmer groups, and multiple ministries. “Agriculture is not just under the Ministry of Food and Agriculture; it involves health, land, environment, and research,” she explained. Despite detailed action plans and clearly defined value chain responsibilities, the challenge remains in execution. “The intention is different from what budgets will be rolled,” she asserted, underscoring disconnect between strategy and funding.
So, I will say that we don’t lack documents to guide our thinking. We don’t lack personnel and professionals to help us design and develop and direct. Ghana has now 16 regions. So, there are 16 regional agricultural development departments. If Ghana has 262, or so districts, there are 262 district departments of agriculture. That is how agriculture is prioritized, and at least there will be 30 persons who have been trained, few linking up directly with the farmers, and some live within the communities. So, they are there. Then, you have development offices; they are there. So, in terms of structure …I know there is a clear framework and the interlinkages are well understood. How we execute, probably is the issue.”
Turning Farm Jobs into Prosperity for Rural Ghana
Agriculture remains the mainstay of Ghana’s rural economy, employing over 30% of the country’s labor force, yet rural poverty persists. Prof. Egyir indicated that this is largely due to the subsistence nature of farming practices in Ghana. According to the seasoned academic and practicing farmer, the issue lies not only in employment but in the quality and structure of that employment.
Prof. Egyir compared farming to formal employment—just as salaried workers earn based on rank and performance, farmers must also meet certain standards and build capacity to earn more. “Even as a professor with a farm,” she noted, “my farm is still subsistent”. She highlighted disconnect between national initiatives and grassroots awareness. Despite the recent launch of the “Feed Ghana” initiative, many farmers in places like Goaso and Edubiase are unaware of it. This information gap undermines progress.
Prof. Egyir stressed the need for farmers to move away from nature-dependent methods and adopt modern techniques— improved seeds, better soil fertility management, and reduced reliance on rainfall. “If you want to compete and move far beyond the poverty line,” she said, “you have to think and act differently.” She noted that empowering farmers through information, training, and innovation is key to transforming agriculture into a sustainable income-generating sector.
Unfortunately, some farmers think that when they use modern ways of agriculture, which is agribusiness, it is Western so they won’t do it. But they will eat what the West has used the same method to produce …when it comes in. But when you tell us, [because] I’m a farmer myself, to do what the West is doing, we’ll tell you that we don’t want to do what the West is doing; It is poisonous, … yet we eat the end result from the West.
“You don’t want to do irrigation; you don’t want to buy seed every year. You don’t want to improve your soil. If you don’t want to use inorganic fertilizer, there are rules on organic fertilizer in terms of formulating, in terms of application and frequency and all. There are rules and therefore, there’s nothing like nature will do it. You can’t leave it to nature.”
Prof. Irene Egyir highlighted a key distinction between farmers who have risen above poverty and those who remain subsistent. According to her, those who are intentional, plan ahead, and invest in knowledge and innovation tend to do better economically. That notwithstanding, Prof. Egyir noted that while many rural farmers may appear poor based on standard economic indicators, they often feel content with their lifestyle. However, she said the demands of modern life— such as paying for electricity, sending children to school, and traveling to market their produce— require more income, making their subsistence lifestyle inadequate in today’s world. The lack of ambition and intentional planning among many farmers contributes to their stagnant income levels.
Prof. Egyir further emphasized that successful farming today demands more than traditional methods. She cited an example saying in countries like Belgium, South Korea, and the U.S., fewer people are engaged in agriculture due to heavy mechanization and modern practices.
In contrast, she revealed Ghanaian farmers, on the other hand, often resist innovations like improved seeds, fearing they are unnatural or genetically modified. “Despite consuming imported produce like U.S. cowpea and Chinese apples, many reject high-yield local varieties”. She stressed that Ghana has fertile land, but without consistent investment, application of knowledge, and willingness to adopt modern methods, many farmers will continue to operate at a subsistence level and remain vulnerable to poverty.
Implementing Climate-Smart Agricultural for Sustained Productivity
A report from the Ghana Meteorological Agency confirms the increasing unpredictability of rainfall and rising temperatures, both of which are negatively impacting crop yields. The Agricultural Economist averred that Ghana’s heavy reliance on natural elements such as rain makes its agriculture sector highly vulnerable to climate change.
She pointed out that although Ghana has developed strategic policies like FASDEP (Food and Agriculture Sector Development Policy) and has institutions such as the Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology, implementation and enforcement remain weak. These policies advocate for the use of science, technology, and innovation, as well as sustainable land and environmental management to boost climate resilience.
Prof. Egyir also stressed the need for practical tools such as agricultural insurance to support farmers facing unpredictable weather. Drawing from her own farming experience, she illustrated how uncertainty— like planting maize after one rain, only for the rains to stop— can result in major losses without irrigation or other protective measures.
She noted that while real-time weather data from institutions like GMET is accessible, it may not be specific enough for individual farms. Ultimately, she warns that relying on hope for good weather is not a viable strategy. Instead, she proposed that Ghana must prioritize actionable, climate-smart agriculture practices and invest in systems like insurance and irrigation to ensure consistent productivity year-round.
Again, the design of you being intentional about the Climate Smart Agriculture, first on weather information. The services are there; a number of organizations have come that are ready to give you everyday information of what is going to happen in your area, climate information, but farmers say we don’t want to. But that is weather-smart, because getting ready to move, to do things on your field depends on good information.
“Then the second is water-smart. Farmers should get some alternative source of water, whether you are harvesting rain, you are pulling it from the ground or rivers and streams that you are buying some things to draw onto your farm; whatever you are doing, water smartness, you cannot bypass it. Then carbon-smartness, because we know that the world is heating up, and there is carbon concentration.”
The Dean of the School of Agriculture at the University of Ghana emphasized the need for a holistic approach to climate-smart agriculture by integrating nitrogen-smart, energy-smart, and knowledge-smart practices. She explained that rising temperatures and ozone-related issues are stressing plants, animals, and aquatic life, contributing to sea level rise and greenhouse gas emissions. To mitigate these effects, she advocates for precision agriculture, including balanced fertilizer use and cover cropping instead of excessive inorganic inputs.
She also highlighted agroforestry, reduced reliance on fossil fuels, and sustainable energy practices as crucial strategies. Additionally, she called for innovation and diversification among farmers— such as off-farm activities, community banking, food banks, and waste recycling for fertilizer and feed. Prof. Egyir underscored the importance of adopting modern, science-based methods over outdated traditional practices, stressing that while climate change cannot be stopped, adapting through education, collaboration, and innovation is the way forward.
Boosting Export Revenue Through Strategic Crop DevelopmentTop of Form
Agricultural exports such as cocoa and cashew remain vital sources of foreign exchange for Ghana, according to the Bank of Ghana. In recent years, the government introduced industrial tree crops under initiatives like the Planting for Export and Rural Development (PERD) program. This initiative sought to diversify the country’s export base beyond cocoa to include crops like cashew, mango, coconut, and oil palm. These crops have significant export potential, particularly within the West African sub-region, and their formal development was institutionalized through the creation of the Tree Crop Development Authority (TCDA) in 2020.
However, Professor Egyir highlighted key challenges that impede the full realization of export revenue from these crops. A major issue lies in the stringent export standards required by international markets— particularly the sanitary and phytosanitary measures. Smallholder farmers often struggle to meet these standards due to diseases affecting crop quality and yield. Intermediaries and exporters step in to support outgrowers, but even, they face challenges such as disease control, maintaining export protocols, and meeting fruit size and appearance specifications.
Infrastructure deficits, particularly poor road networks and lack of electricity in farming areas, severely hinder productivity and logistics. Prof. Egyir cited personal experiences from farming routes in Agormeda, Lom, and Shama, which are poorly maintained and unsuitable for large-scale farming and transportation. Additionally, inadequate cold-chain facilities, high temperatures, and packaging issues lead to spoilage and rejection of exports. These structural problems, she noted, requires joint efforts between the government and private sector to resolve if Ghana is to enhance its agricultural export competitiveness.
The Agricultural Economist indicated that despite having strategic frameworks like the recently launched Feed Ghana Program, implementation delays and funding bottlenecks continue to be a barrier. She noted that while the TCDA has made efforts in providing support and conducting research across various regions, many smallholder farmers remain unaware of its services.
Furthermore, she underscored that high interest rates and financial constraints discourage private investment in tree crop farming. She noted that for Ghana to fully leverage its tree crop sector for economic stability, timely government action, financial incentives, and strong public-private collaboration are essential.
So, by all means, the government has to do something for these tree crops producers who are serious. There are some of us who are just doing it because we want to learn something. I have my 150 trees but I’m overwhelmed with diseases, my hands are on my head, and I’m almost giving up. There are those who are always trying to get some mangoes out of this country, rubber out of this country, oil palm out of this country and cashew.
“People are really catching up but they have to be well organized, and they have been registered by TCDA. They give them tree seedlings; they say that is not their problem. So, TCDA is doing something, but they [farmers] are calling for a lot that need to be done, so much for the export. You go to the malls, all the malls are importing citrus because our citrus is diseased.”
Tackling Post-Harvest Wastage: The Right InvestmentsTop of Form
Research from Ghana’s Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) estimates that between 20 to 30% of the country’s agricultural produce is lost due to post-harvest inefficiencies. Given this, the practicing farmer identifies several areas that require government’s investment to curb these losses, beginning with infrastructure. Poor road conditions contribute significantly to produce damage during transport, especially when perishable goods like fruits are improperly packed and exposed to heat buildup or mechanical damage.
Also, she called for the need for improved cold chain logistics and better harvesting practices. For example, fruits are often shaken off trees, which bruises them and accelerates spoilage.
Moreover, she mentioned that pre-harvest factors such as pests and diseases can significantly affect the quality of produce even before harvest, highlighting the need for better pest control and disease prevention.
Packaging, storage, and handling also play a major role in post-harvest losses. The Agriculturist noted that many goods are packed into sacks and handled roughly during loading and unloading. Once transported, she indicated that the lack of cold storage and poorly managed warehouses leads to further spoilage. She further disclosed that in retail, unsold goods are often inadequately protected, left to face the rain, heat, and contamination, which causes further deterioration.
The soil that is not good is going to give fruits that are not good, and then it will continue. So, the pre-harvest handling is an issue you have to tackle. Then harvesting– the way you harvest is an issue. Because when you go elsewhere, for example, when people move from here to Italy to pick tomatoes, ask them the instruction on picking tomatoes… you cannot just pick. They teach you how to pick and handle with care. We don’t handle anything with care here, whether it’s pepper or fruit bunches; when we harvest fruit bunches, they put it on the roadside at the mercy of the weather and insects. A lot of it, all our foods– our vegetables, our cassava, etc.”
She asserted that with proper care and investment, post-harvest losses can be drastically reduced— potentially even to less than 1%. Lessons, according to her, can be drawn from instances where grains transported from Techiman to Niger experienced minimal losses due to the heightened care taken during minor harvest seasons, demonstrating that careful handling and proper logistics are crucial.
However, the Professor maintained that despite multiple training initiatives by MoFA and development partners like GIZ to improve post-harvest handling, implementation remains limited. Most of these interventions are pilot programs, reaching only a handful of districts. That notwithstanding, she pointed out that there are trained personnel in every district capable of scaling up these efforts.
She lamented that while farmers often claim they cannot afford data or smartphones for agricultural learning, many are active on platforms like TikTok. She argued that knowledge exists and tools are available— what’s missing is behavioral change and consistent application. She, therefore, admonished that government must not only invest in infrastructure and modern storage solutions but also reinforce training, monitoring, and accountability across districts to effectively tackle the issue of post-harvest losses.
Enhancing Value Addition in Ghana’s Agricultural Exports
Ghana continues to export most of its agricultural products in raw form, missing out on opportunities for value addition and economic transformation. According to Prof. Egyir, frameworks such as FASDEP II already emphasize market competitiveness and value addition. She disclosed that many of Ghana’s key agricultural commodities— grains, cocoa, livestock, and fish— are suitable for processing, yet much of the value-added products consumed locally are imported. Efforts are underway, according to her, through agritech initiatives and student-led innovations to develop new value-added formats, but structural challenges persist.
To optimize value creation, critical investments are needed in machinery, electricity, water supply, and skilled human resources. Prof. Egyir, however, revealed that even partial attempts at value addition, such as rice milling, have exposed weaknesses like poor equipment and inadequate moisture control, leading to inferior products. When quality machines and correct protocols are followed, results improve significantly. She emphasized that technical knowledge exists among academics, trained graduates, and farmers, but the right infrastructure and commitment are often lacking.
The policies are there. They will specify things but when government releases funds and private sector does not, [it hampers implementation] as happened under One District One Factory (1D1F). Government was ready to support but the private sector did not have the money. So only a few were supported, and then they said the government did not release. But from my own close research, I realized that the policy was, bring your capital, then we will get banks to support you. So, it’s not the policy; the policy is there. We also have the ExIm Bank, we have other venture capital facilities to support. But it’s either the amount is small or the interest rate is high.
“Also, because the farmers are not producing quality raw material, those already adding value are not able to get the quality raw material to consistently work with. So, Blue Skies is importing fruits all over the place. You listen to those who do fufu powders and things. Sometimes they don’t even use our root tubers. Because you need consistency in the supply of raw materials. Consistency, then committed professionals to also do the hand work. If you don’t strengthen the supply chain; you cannot release raw materials, the water is not there, the energy is not consistent, forget about value addition.”
Prof. Egyir underscored the importance of collaboration between government and the private sector. Business Advisory Service Centers exist in districts to support agribusinesses, but greater effort is required. She noted that companies like Blue Skies demonstrate what is possible with significant investment in processing and human capital. They are able to meet international standards by adding value— such as exporting cut pineapples instead of whole ones.
The Dean of the School of Agriculture at the University of Ghana emphasized that Ghana can transform its agriculture sector by leveraging digital innovation, as countries like Brazil and India have done through mechanization and technology. He noted successful local experiments with IoT and precision agriculture, including a student’s remote IoT farming project and initiatives like Aquamet, which uses apps to monitor fish pond health. Despite these advancements, digital agriculture remains costly due to limited local infrastructure and reliance on foreign equipment.
To make technology adoption viable, Ghana must prioritize capacity building, invest in specialized software and infrastructure, and train more personnel. She noted that with increased support and scale, digital tools like drones for targeted spraying and blockchain for supply chains could significantly improve productivity and efficiency across the agricultural value chain.
Strategies Government Should Adopt To Boost Local Production
To boost local food production and enhance national food security, the Agriculturist emphasized the urgent need for strategic investment in soil health, quality seed production, and efficient water use. She further highlighted the importance of soil amendment practices, noting that continued cultivation without replenishing nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium diminishes productivity.
She also stressed the critical role of improved seeds and proper farming protocols in achieving higher yields. Without this, Ghana risks becoming increasingly dependent on food imports. While there are local seed-producing associations such as the National Seed Trade Association of Ghana, concerns remain about the quality of seeds and adherence to best agricultural practices.
Moreover, the Agricultural economist critiqued the narrow focus on maize and rice, urging the government and citizens to diversify food production and consumption to include underutilized crops like sweet potatoes and cocoyam, which can be promoted across regions. She advocated for intra-country trade and investment in the agricultural value chain to reduce post-harvest losses and dependence on imports.
She referenced the government’s call to revisit “Operation Feed Yourself” and the creation of the National Food Buffer Stock as steps in the right direction but pointed out that their implementation and effectiveness remain uncertain. She stressed that without deliberate investments and efforts to strengthen the local agricultural system, particularly through private sector involvement, Ghana will continue to face food insecurity, especially during climatic shocks such as droughts.
According to her, the major risks affecting farmers’ productivity and profitability can be grouped into physical and market-related risks. Physical risks include: challenges with soil quality, access to good seeds, water management, environmental factors, and the availability of skilled and committed human resources. Timely action is crucial in agriculture, and even with the best tools, productivity can falter without a dedicated workforce. Climate change also heightens physical risks, making agricultural insurance an essential buffer against income losses when yields are affected despite proper farming practices.
So, if you don’t get your quality, then as a farmer, you can even not negotiate when you don’t get your quality. Then the two sides, because in every marketing situation, there are two parties see a product of value, one of them is price. In fact, that is very important in the Market Risk Analysis. if there’s no quality, then any price will go and therefore you always have that price risk– fluctuating prices. Because, if we are not able to bridge the seasonal variation issues at the farm level, then we will experience this price variation. So, harvest time, price will go down, lean period, price will go up.”
Prof. Egyir mentioned that on the market side, risks involve storage, processing, pricing, and access to affordable financing. High interest rates and a volatile exchange rate environment pose serious challenges, especially as most agricultural inputs and machinery are imported. Farmers often rely on borrowed funds to invest, but macroeconomic instability erodes their profit margins. Additionally, wage expectations and the cost of motivating labor further complicate operations.
Key Lessons and Policy Imperatives for Positioning Agriculture at the Heart of Ghana’s Economic Recovery
Recently, President John Mahama launched the “Feed Ghana” initiative, following the footsteps of his predecessor who introduced the “Planting for Food and Jobs” (PFJ) programme. Meanwhile, Prof. Egyir explained that the PFJ received mixed reviews, mainly due to limited targeting, political interference, and inadequate follow-up.
According her, while the frameworks of these initiatives are often well designed— addressing input supply, production, and market access— they fail in implementation. Issues like delayed funding, poor monitoring, and politicization undermine their impact. For instance, she noted that PFJ focused on select crops and even expanded to poultry and aquaculture, but support often didn’t reach serious farmers. She added that political biases also influenced who received benefits, making the program feel partisan.
Agriculture Need To Be Treated As Business, Not A Political Tool!
The Agric expert emphasized the need for agriculture to be treated as a business and not as a political tool. She argued for strong private sector participation, better monitoring, and non-partisan administration. She stated that government alone can’t drive transformation— private sector seriousness and accountability are crucial for meaningful agricultural development.
If agriculture will move forward in this country, government can only do 10% because it doesn’t have enough budget for health, sanitation; for about 23 ministries. So, if our private sector can be serious, then whatever little government brings to the table, they should take it, run with it and push our agriculture to the frontline. The private sector should sit up. Small scale farmers are subsistent. Those who can go into business should be supported to do business. Otherwise, they’ll be bringing small, small things to the market, and if you don’t take care, the ratio will be 90% import [and] 10% from small scale farmers.”Bottom of Form
All in all, reviving Ghana’s economy calls for bold, strategic choices, and agriculture offers one of the most compelling investment frontiers. From cocoa to cassava, from fisheries to floriculture, the sector is rich with opportunities that can spur industrial transformation and rural development. By enhancing value chains, modernizing farming techniques, and improving access to finance for agribusinesses, Ghana can unlock a new era of economic dynamism— led by agriculture and fueled by innovation.