Ksi: Youth Advised To Engage In Green House Farming
Head of Business Development and Project at Ghana Exim Bank,Mr. Bright Evans Darko, has urged Ghanaian youth to show keen interest in green house farming which is steadily being popularized in the country.
He was not happy that a big chunk of unemployed youth have a background in agriculture but encouraged them to embrace the project concept.
Speaking exclusively to Wontumionline.com at KNUST where a special green house farming project on the cultivation of cucumber, tomatoes and green pepper is ongoing Mr. Darko explained that the technology is different from the ordinary farming technique where traditional farming tools are utilized.
” The one who engages in green house farming is always clean. And when he closes from work, people will not even recognize that he went to farm.” He explained.
He added that, the green house farming is mainly for the youth to create employment for themselves and those who go into it are given loans and have a three year period to pay back after which they possess the farm.
” Nigeria richest man, Aliko Dangote, and other wealthy persons, started life this way before excelling. The youth who have had the opportunity to be engaged on the green house farming project should treat it as their own business because it is their future.” He noted
Mr. Darko disclosed that, the green house farming is a government project and funded by the Ghana Exim Bank with Mr. Lawrence Agyinsam and Madam Nana Ama Poku occupying the topmost positions.
He said that, a whooping gh¢20m fund has been invested into it and currently, it is sited in 11 locations.
Mr. Darko affirmed that, the sole aim of introducing the project is to reduce the importation of vegetables into the country.
“Gh¢60 million wealth of vegetables are imported into the country each year and we cannot continue to import them any longer because we can cultivate them ourselves?”
“We are hoping this project will boost the country’s GDP rate because it can employ about 400 youth directly and 200 indirectly”
He said that, by December this year, the green house farming centres would have increased to 100 which will help the KNUST extend its project from 10 to 20 Districts.
For his part, the Chief Executive OF Agri-Impact, Daniel Fahene Acquaye told Wontumionline.com that, the bank has identified the financial challenge facing those engaged in green house farming “that’s why they have come to the aid of the youth.”
He said that, the farm becomes the bonafide property of the one who is able to pay back the loan and stands a good chance of benefitting from it for about forty years.
According to Mr. Acquaye, “the immediate goal is to produce enough vegetable so there would not be the need to import vegetables into the country. The long term goal is to stop the importation of tomatoes and other vegetables.”
He called on Ghanaians to patronize the locally produced vegetables saying, “there are no chemicals in it unlike the others – you only wash them and use them.” He said.
“Green house farming is unique. Exim Bank has imported about hundred green houses. Currently we have five at Bosomtwe and five Ejisu in at the Ashanti Region.” Kumasi Branch Manager, Madam Mary Kodua chipped in
She said that, the project is still going through research processes to improve the the concept..
Madam Kodua was happy to note that the people of Kumasi are patronizing the produce saying this is “overwhelming.”
She however, urged the youth who now have the opportunity to work in the green house farming facility to ensure that they operate it like their own business and should therefore be passionate about it because it is their property.
The Agriprenureship Manager for the Agri- impact Mr.Emmanuel Boamah Okyere who conducted Wontumi Communication team around the farm noted that the products from Greenhouse farms contain no disease and are of pure quality.
He noted that, the first harvest of cucumber was done on 17th September and can continuously be harvested for four continuous months unlike the crops planted in of the open fields where the yield at each season can last for “ three weeks.”
Adriana Kyerematen, a beneficiary who cultivates a variety of green pepper called Cavango commended the Ghana Exim Bank for their financial support.
“The green house is building a future for me. It has really helped me. Soon the old ways of farming will change to modern day farming. It was my heart’s desire to engage in farming while schooling and I am happy to be in this profession.” One beneficiary, Frimpong Junior said
He advised the youth to grab the opportunity when the green house employment opportunity comes so they can also benefit from it as he is doing.
Customer remarks
Mr. Daniel Okai, a lecturer at KNUST who purchased some of the cucumbers hailed the quality saying describing it as excellent and that Ghanaians should patronize it.
