President Mahama urges professionals to embrace farming alongside careers

As Ghana continues to prioritise agriculture in its national development plans, President John Dramani Mahama has appealed to professionals including teachers, civil servants, and private-sector workers to consider engaging in farming alongside their regular careers. The call was made during the 2025 National Farmers’ Day celebrations, reflecting a broader push to change perceptions about agriculture as solely a rural or subsistence pursuit.

President Mahama emphasised that farming should no longer be seen as the preserve of “village folks only.” He maintains that with proper planning, time management, and dedication, professionals can use farming to supplement incomes, ensure food security, and contribute to national economic resilience.

This inclusive vision aligns with government efforts to modernize the agricultural sector through improved access to inputs, mechanization support, and value-chain development. Public policies are increasingly geared toward making agriculture a profitable and dignified occupation, even for those who maintain full-time careers outside the farm.

Stakeholders believe that encouraging professionals to farm could help address dual challenges: reducing the youth exodus from rural communities and increasing food production capacity. As urbanisation increases and traditional farming populations age, integrating a new generation of “part-time agripreneurs” could boost productivity, diversify crops, and ease pressure on rural labour shortages.

The Minister for Food and Agriculture, in his address during the same occasion, said that recent interventions including subsidies for inputs, mechanization programmes, and expanded extension services are already translating into improved crop yields, reduced post-harvest losses, and enhanced market access for farmers across Ghana.

With the government’s backing and changing attitudes, agriculture is being reimagined not just as subsistence but as a viable, modern business. President Mahama’s call aims to broaden participation, harness latent agricultural potential among urban professionals and help build a more resilient, self-reliant food system for Ghana.