Actor-turned-politician John Dumelo claims that his agricultural efforts provide food for 300 to 400 Ghanaians who labour on his fields each year.
According to him, it is his small contribution to Ghana’s economy, and it makes him pleased to know that he is providing a source of income for certain people in the nation.
He says witnessing enormous areas of idle land in northern Ghana while the government continues to import foods that might be grown locally sparked his ambition to go into farming.
“Ten years ago, I was driving to the Northern part of Ghana and saw huge fertile fields on the roadside, which can help the country farm and have more foodstuff to sustain the country. So I made up my mind to zoom into farming,” he stated.
According to him, agribusiness is a profitable industry, but the youth’s misperception has led them to believe that farming is just for the elderly and those who live in rural.
Mr Dumelo told Nhyira FM’s Nana Jantuah on Kuro Yi Mu Nsem that if the nation does not spend more on agriculture, Ghana would soon import eggs.
“When you get to our supermarkets, most of the fruits, ginger, and other stuff are imported, which should not be allowed because if we sit idle, one day we will import eggs,” he said.
The NDC’s 2020 Ayewaso West Wuogon Parliamentary Candidate says he expects to obtain government assistance to expand his agriculture.
“I receive no government assistance; I fund everything I do on the farm.” I am hoping for government backing and am confident that I will be called in.
“It’s very expensive because I use my own money to pay all of the workers I’ve hired; for example, when it’s harvesting time, you have to pay those who uproot and all the value chain, but I’m happy about it because I’ve created jobs for others.” “I can employ 300-400 people per year,” Mr Dumelo added.
He went on to say that irrigation is the only component that may positively contribute to agricultural growth.
“Farming is now expensive, but we have the Volta River, Tunu Dam, and other large streams in the country that can be used for irrigation in agriculture.” As a result, if we begin irrigated farming on tomatoes, maize, and onions, we will be able to minimise our deficit of those goods.”
Mr. Dumelo believes agriculture is critical, and he plans to tackle ways to make it more appealing and stabilise prices in his 2024 manifesto.
