President John Dramani Mahama has encouraged Ghanaians—especially those in formal employment—to consider farming as an additional source of income, stressing that agriculture is not the exclusive preserve of rural communities or full-time farmers.
Addressing the 41st National Farmers’ Day celebration in Ho on Friday, 5 December, President Mahama said the long-held notion that farming is only for “village folks” is outdated and does not reflect modern realities.
He explained that many professionals, including civil servants, teachers and private sector workers, can combine their regular jobs with meaningful agricultural activity.
“Agriculture isn’t only for the village folks,” he said. “You can work and still be a farmer. Teachers and civil servants can go to work and have farms, and the money from the farm can supplement their incomes.”
The President noted that adopting farming as a secondary venture would not only boost personal earnings but also strengthen national food security and reduce reliance on imports.
He encouraged workers to embrace modern agricultural practices such as irrigation, improved seedlings, and technology-driven systems that allow part-time farmers to maintain productive farms without being physically present every day.
President Mahama also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to creating a supportive environment that makes farming attractive, viable, and profitable for all categories of workers.
