Youth Advised to Seize Agribusiness Opportunities
The Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, John Dumelo, has urged Ghanaian youth to capitalise on expanding opportunities within the country’s agricultural sector, describing farming as one of the most viable and sustainable business ventures available to the next generation.
Speaking at a town hall meeting in Accra on Saturday, 14 February 2026, Mr Dumelo said agriculture must be repositioned from a subsistence activity to a structured, profit-driven enterprise powered by innovation, finance and market access. The forum, organised by The Ghanaian Farmer in partnership with People Building Institute, was held at the British Council and brought together farmers, investors and agritech firms from across the country.
He highlighted the availability of dedicated financial packages for young people through state-backed schemes and donor-supported facilities channelled through commercial banks.
“The National Youth Authority, Ghana Enterprise Agency, Outgrower Value Chain Fund (OVCF) at the Ministry of Agriculture, have money from donor partners, given to banks to lend to farmers. When you approach them with good plans after starting your farm already, it’s easy to get the loans and grants.”
Mr Dumelo advised prospective agripreneurs to work closely with district agricultural offices, join recognised farmer groups and cooperatives, and take advantage of government-supported start-up and expansion programmes. According to him, the agricultural value chain — spanning crop production, livestock, poultry, aquaculture, agro-processing and agritech — offers significant room for innovation, scale and long-term growth.
“The opportunities are there,” he said. “From crop production to livestock, poultry, aquaculture, agro-processing and agritech, there is room for innovation and growth.”
The Deputy Minister placed particular emphasis on dry season farming and climate-smart production methods, citing irrigation, greenhouse technology and digital marketing as pathways to year-round income and improved margins.
“Dry season farming is the best. Sometimes when I go to the North, the market women prepay for produce before the farmer starts. Once you have your farm close to the water body, acquire a pump and you will make a lot of money,” John Dumelo advised.
He underscored agriculture’s central role in national food security and economic stability, arguing that its demand fundamentals make it recession-resilient.
“People eat every day,” he stressed. “That alone should tell you that agriculture will always be relevant. It is not a seasonal business; it is a necessity.”
Addressing concerns about the disappearance of some local seed varieties, Mr Dumelo attributed the trend largely to climate change and shifting rainfall patterns.
“That’s why we brought improved seeds to withstand Ghana’s temperature and rainfall patterns. These seeds are not GMO. They’re locally produced for efficiency,” the Deputy Minister added.
Participants engaged him on access to capital, post-harvest losses, market linkages and climate resilience, reflecting growing investor interest in the sector alongside structural constraints that continue to limit productivity.
The organisers said the town hall forms part of a broader national engagement strategy aimed at narrowing the gap between policymakers and young farmers, while positioning agriculture as a credible pathway to job creation and enterprise development. Similar forums are expected to be rolled out across other regions.
In his closing remarks, Mr Dumelo reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building an enabling environment that supports productive, technology-driven and profitable agriculture, describing youth participation as essential to tackling unemployment and strengthening Ghana’s economic base.
