Prince Asante, a Ghanaian farmer specializing in cocoa and cashew cultivation, shared his journey on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Ghana show with DJ Nyaami.
Asante, who is based in Accra but owns farms in Asante Akyem, started farming many years ago. He worked at Cocoa PLC, which took him across Ghana, and eventually realized the potential of cashew farming in the Bono East Region.
In 2018, he expanded into cashew cultivation, which has proven to be a profitable venture.
He won the Best District Cashew Farmer award in Agogo and initially planned to cultivate 190 acres but later settled on 21 acres.
However, he highlighted a major challenge in Ghanaian farming—access to financing. Farming requires significant investment, including irrigation, as climate change has led to unpredictable rainfall.
To combat water shortages, he plans to construct a borehole and reservoir, which will allow him to maintain a steady cocoa harvest.
Asante emphasized that farming is highly profitable. A single acre can yield 15–20 bags of cocoa, with each bag currently selling for 3,100 GHC.
However, he hopes that Mahama, if elected, will increase the price to 6,000 GHC per bag to make farming more attractive to the youth.
He criticized the government’s approach to agricultural support, stating that rather than distributing free fertilizers, they should reduce fertilizer prices to make them more accessible.
He also urged the Ministry of Agriculture to train unemployed youth in pollination techniques, as proper pollination significantly improves cocoa yields.
Despite facing multiple visa refusals, Asante believes that investing in farming is more beneficial than seeking opportunities abroad.
He argued that if given financial support, he could expand his farm and generate significant income within two years. His experience has taught him that farming is not just a livelihood but a sustainable business that can transform lives.
Looking ahead, he plans to diversify into vegetable farming, including chili peppers, and improve irrigation on his farm. He remains hopeful that cocoa prices will rise and that the government will provide better support for farmers.
Prince Asante’s story is a testament to the potential of agriculture in Ghana and a call for better policies to empower farmers.
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