Bra Kwaku, popularly known as Veggie Fada, made a return appearance on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle GH with Dj Nyaami to share updates on his journey in farming and agribusiness. Following his last interview, he received an overwhelming response from people seeking advice, particularly from the diaspora. He has since connected with many individuals, offering guidance and support.
Veggie Fada revealed that he and his team had long envisioned establishing a resort away from the city. However, their farming activities have become an integral part of their lifestyle, making them feel more connected to nature. This year, they are determined to bring their vision to life while simultaneously expanding their animal farm.
Initially, he planned to go into vegetable farming with a business partner but ended up focusing on animal farming instead. Currently, his farm houses snakes, goats, chickens, rabbits, and ducks. He emphasizes that farming requires starting small and gradually scaling up.
According to Bra Kwaku, many young people are now venturing into agribusiness, which is encouraging. However, he warns that while partnerships in farming sound good in theory, they are difficult to sustain in reality. If one partner is not physically present on the farm, misunderstandings may arise. He noted that people living abroad often assume those managing their farms in Ghana are misusing funds.
He recounted an instance where an insect infestation nearly wiped out his farm. If his business partner had been abroad, they would have assumed he had mismanaged funds, but because they were present, they witnessed firsthand the challenge and how he worked to resolve it.
Farming is risky, and losses can happen in an instant. Veggie Fada shared how he once imported 60 animals from Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Gambia. However, because they were not properly vaccinated, they introduced an infestation that led to the death of 230 animals within three months. Losing even one animal, which could be worth up to GHC 2,500, can be devastating.
Despite experiencing such setbacks, he remained determined and expanded his business. He believes failures in farming should serve as motivation rather than discouragement. Farming, he says, is similar to gambling—losses can be significant, but with persistence, success is possible.
Veggie Fada has significant land, vehicles, and resources dedicated to his farming venture. He stresses that people looking to get into farming don’t necessarily have to be physically present on the farm. He shared an example of a friend who manages a farm remotely, with hired workers handling daily operations.
He also highlighted lesser-known but highly lucrative areas of agribusiness, such as snake farming. Extracting snake venom can generate between $5 million and $10 million per gallon. Some people secretly keep snakes in their homes, harvesting venom for sale. Additionally, there is a growing market for snakes as pets, with some buyers willing to pay GHC 3,000 for a single python.
Veggie Fada actively uses social media, particularly TikTok, to educate and learn new things. He believes most farmers lack formal education, so he dedicates time to sharing knowledge online. While he does not follow trends on social media, he focuses on learning and growing his expertise.
He encourages young people to discover their unique skills and use them to generate income. Comparing farming to illegal mining (galamsey), he argues that many people engage in labor-intensive jobs without using their intellect to build sustainable businesses. He advises aspiring farmers to be prepared for both success and failure, emphasizing that perseverance is key to long-term success in agribusiness.
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