Yaw Obeng Marfo: Rubber Farming Is a Goldmine, But Many Ghanaians Overlook It
In an interview with DJ Nyaami on Daily Hustle GH, Yaw Obeng Marfo, a rubber farmer and consultant, shared insights into the lucrative nature of rubber farming.
Residing in the Western Region, with farms in Agona Nkwanta and Assin Fosu, he supplies rubber seedlings and offers consultancy services to aspiring farmers.
Yaw emphasized that rubber farming is highly profitable, even more than cocoa, yet many people are unaware of its potential.
“A rubber farmer can earn GHC 60,000 a month, and the income keeps coming in every week,” he revealed. “When you plant rubber, it takes five years to mature, but once it does, it provides a steady income for up to 40 years.”
Having studied accounting in school, Yaw worked in the corporate sector but soon realized that rubber farming was far more rewarding.
“The amount I made in a year from my salary, I can now earn in just a week through rubber farming,” he said. Despite doing it as a side business, the returns have been substantial.
Yaw pointed out that rubber is Ghana’s next major export after cocoa and gold.
“Rubber latex is in high demand globally, and we export most of it. If the government invests in this sector, it could significantly boost the economy.” He added that some rubber farmers earn over GHC 100,000 monthly, urging investors to shift their focus from real estate to rubber farming.
Despite its profitability, rubber farming faces challenges, particularly with labor.
“We lack skilled tappers, and without them, you can’t harvest latex. Tappers earn between GHC 2,000 and GHC 3,000 monthly, yet most youth ignore farming,” Yaw lamented.
Additionally, land acquisition remains a hurdle.
“We have the potential to create millionaires through rubber farming, but large lands are often given to foreigners instead of local farmers.”
Yaw stressed that Ghana has suitable soil for rubber cultivation, with the Western, Central, and Eastern regions being the best locations.
“Rubber trees produce latex, a valuable commodity worldwide. If we establish more processing factories across the country, the value will increase, creating more wealth locally.”
He urged policymakers to prioritize the rubber sector, stating,
“We say there’s no employment in Ghana, but the rubber industry needs more workers. If given the right support, this sector could transform many lives.”
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