By Philip Tengzu, GNA
Bussie (UW/R), Dec. 06, GNA – Mr Jonas Dorsaah, a 36-year-old farmer from Bussie, has been adjudged the Overall Best Farmer for the Daffiama-Bussie-Issa district during the 2025 National Farmers Day celebration.
Mr Dorsaah, who inherited farming from his parents, said he transitioned from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture after recognising the economic opportunities in the sector.
“As you can see, I do not have formal education because my father was a farmer, and growing up, I took over from him, and I am seeing the benefits of it,” he stated.
In the 2025 cropping season, Mr Dorsaah cultivated over 1,700 acres of farmland, including about 600 acres of maize, 300 acres of sorghum, 50 acres of soybeans, 50 acres of rice and 70 acres of yam, among others.
He also has livestock over 300 cattle, 200 sheep, 150 goats and over 2,200 birds, including turkeys.
Mr Dorsaah identified the high cost of farm inputs and the low market prices of cereals, particularly maize, as major disincentives to young people who wish to venture into agriculture.
He commended the government for ongoing efforts to modernise the agricultural sector through the farmer service centre initiative to attract more youth into farming.
He, however, appealed to the government to subsidise farm inputs, especially fertiliser, and institute a mechanism to regulate prices of major farm produce.
He also cited poor road networks leading to farming communities and the inadequate storage facilities as major challenges facing farmers in the district.
Mr Dorsaah expressed optimism that he would soon emerge as the Overall Regional Best Farmer, a feat he believes would inspire more young people to view agriculture as a viable business rather than a fallback option for the less privileged.
Mr John Kafule Yendor-Naa, A 36-year-old nurse from Owlo, was named the District Best Youth Farmer and received items including a tricycle.
He said the tricycle would significantly reduce his cost of transporting labour and farm inputs.
Mr Yendor-Naa commended the President Mahama-led government for plans to establish farmer service centres, which he said, when fully operational, would help reduce labour costs and time involved in planting and harvesting.
He added that subsidising farm inputs, especially fertiliser, would greatly encourage more youth to embrace farming and help reduce the country’s rising unemployment rate.
The National Farmers Day, instituted 41 years ago, celebrates Ghanaian farmers and fishers for their contributions to national food security and the rural economy.
The 2025 celebration was held under the theme “Feed Ghana, Eat Ghana, Secure the Future” to reiterate the need for Ghanaians to consume locally produced food.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali /Linda Asante Agyei