Farmers Urged to Secure Land Rights, Adopt Sustainable Practices at Care Programme in Yilo Krobo

Somanya — Farmers in Yilo Krobo and surrounding communities have been urged to strengthen their knowledge of land laws, practice prudent farm business management, and adopt safe and sustainable agricultural methods to boost productivity and protect their livelihoods.

The call was made at the Farmers Care Programme, organised by Eminence Lead International for the Yilo Krobo Mango Farmers Association (YKMFA) on Friday, November 7, 2025, at the YKMFA Conference Hall of Yilo Krobo Senior High School, Somanya, in the Eastern Region.

The programme, which brought together about 300 mango farmers, was held under the theme “Sustainable Agriculture Business Practices and Innovative Agri-Entrepreneurship for Robust Agricultural Development.”

It attracted farmers, agricultural stakeholders, financial institutions, and development partners for a full-day capacity-building engagement aimed at strengthening the agricultural value chain in the area.

The event commenced at 9:00am and focused on equipping farmers with practical knowledge on land rights, agribusiness finance, agrochemical safety, and innovative agri-entrepreneurship, as part of broader efforts to promote sustainable agriculture, rural development, and food security.

Farmers must understand land laws – Dr. Wemakor

Delivering a presentation as Special Guest of Honour, the Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG), Dr. Joseph Kobla Wemakor, educated participants on the topic “Understanding Land Rights and Laws as a Farmer: Empowering Farmers Through Knowledge of the Law.”

Dr. Wemakor described land as the backbone of farming, stressing that limited understanding of land ownership systems continues to expose farmers to exploitation, disputes, and loss of livelihoods.

He explained that land rights refer to the legal or customary rights individuals and communities have to own, use, and manage land, outlining various forms including ownership, leasehold, communal or customary land, and tenancy arrangements. According to him, secure land tenure encourages long-term investment, promotes peace, and protects farmers’ livelihoods.

Touching on Ghana’s legal framework, Dr. Wemakor highlighted key laws such as the Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036), the Administration of Lands Act, 1962, and the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands Act, 1994, noting the critical roles played by the Lands Commission, traditional authorities, and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.

He also identified persistent challenges confronting farmers, including boundary disputes, lack of land documentation, gender discrimination in land access and inheritance, corruption, and encroachment by developers and mining companies.

Dr. Wemakor urged farmers to document land transactions properly, register lands with the Lands Commission, engage qualified surveyors and witnesses, join farmer associations, and seek legal advice before signing agreements.

“Knowledge of your rights is the seed of empowerment. Protect it, and your farm will flourish,” he said.

Farmers advised to treat farming as a business – ADB

In another key presentation, Mr. Nicholas Nikoi, Unit Head of AgroMarketing and Sales at the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB), encouraged farmers to approach agriculture strictly as a business and not a hobby.

He cautioned against excessive and unplanned spending, stressing that a farm may appear productive but still collapse if costs outweigh returns. He guided farmers through effective financial management strategies aimed at building resilient and profitable farm businesses.

Mr. Nikoi shared seven key principles for prudent financial management, including setting clear priorities, budgeting, paying bills promptly, controlling debt, investing regularly, insuring farms and livelihoods, and planning for retirement.

He warned that while debt can be useful, it can be destructive if poorly managed, urging farmers to borrow only when necessary and to ensure loans are used strictly for their intended purposes.

“Debt is like fire—it can cook your food, but it can also burn your house if you are not careful,” he cautioned.

He further emphasised the importance of good record-keeping, noting that proper financial records enhance farmers’ credibility and improve access to financial support from banks and other financial institutions.

Safe handling of agrochemicals critical – COCOBOD

The Technical Manager (Operations) of the Cocoa Health and Extension Division of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Felix Kwame Appiah, PhD, delivered a comprehensive session on the Safe Use of Agro-Chemicals.

Dr. Appiah explained that crop protection products such as insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, and pesticides are biologically active chemicals that must be handled responsibly to protect human health, the environment, and product quality.

He educated participants on climate-smart agriculture, integrated pest management, and the importance of selecting the right agrochemicals based on expert advice. He also outlined proper procedures for purchasing, transporting, storing, measuring, mixing, and applying agrochemicals, stressing the use of personal protective equipment and strict adherence to label instructions.

Dr. Appiah further highlighted safe disposal methods for pesticide waste and containers, warning against practices that contaminate water bodies, food supplies, and living spaces.

Active participation and strong partnerships

The programme was marked by active participation, with farmers asking practical questions and contributing experiences that made the discussions directly applicable to their daily farming operations.

Organisers expressed gratitude to key sponsors and partners whose support made the programme successful, including the Agricultural Development Bank Ghana (ADB), Ghana Cocoa Board, Human Rights Reporters Ghana, Hot FM, and the Yilo Krobo Mango Farmers Association (YKMFA).

Special appreciation was also extended to Ofori Emmanuel Ofori and the organising team for their effective coordination and execution of the event.

Commitment to sustainable agriculture

The Farmers Care Programme ended with a renewed call for farmers to secure their land rights, manage farms as viable businesses, adopt safe agrochemical practices, and embrace sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural methods.

Organisers, Eminence Lead International, reaffirmed their commitment to empowering Ghana’s agricultural sector through capacity building and farmer-focused interventions, noting that the initiative forms part of broader efforts to promote sustainable farming, rural development, and food security—one farmer at a time.