In the Upper East Region, a quiet revolution is taking place in the agricultural sector. Female farmers are challenging traditional stereotypes and misconceptions, proving that farming is not just a man’s domain. These women are not only feeding their families and communities but are also turning farming into a successful business venture.
For years, the narrative in the Upper East Region has been that farming is a male-dominated profession, with women playing a secondary role. However, this is no longer the case. Female farmers are taking center stage, cultivating crops, and managing their own farms.
In Ghana, the contribution of women to agriculture cannot be underestimated. According to the Ghana Statistical Service, six in every ten (58.4%) females aged 15 years and older were employed in the agricultural sector in rural areas, more than twice the national average of three in every ten (28.8%).
A1 Radio’s David Azure had the opportunity to meet some of these trailblazing female farmers. Their stories are a testament to their hard work, dedication, and resilience. Despite facing numerous challenges, these women have persevered and are now reaping the rewards of their labor.
These women are breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes, proving that farming is a viable and profitable business for women.
The Stories of the Female Farmers
Abigail Atanga
Abigail Atanga, a female farmer from the Yikene community in the Bolgatanga Municipality of the Upper East Region, engages in both dry and rainy season farming. In an exclusive interview with A1 News, she shared that she was a trader before becoming a farmer, describing her former job as unprofitable.
According to her, when she decided to go into farming, her husband criticized her, yet she persisted. Today, she is the main provider for her family. Without her bold step into farming, her daughter, currently in nursing training college, and her other children might have dropped out of school after their father’s demise.
“I started serious farming more than 15 years ago. After I got married, I started trading. I used to go to Kumasi, Accra, and other places to buy items and sell them at Bolga Market, but I had to stop because I wasn’t making any profit despite all the suffering. My husband even wanted me to stop farming, but I insisted. He later understood that what I am doing is very supportive. I can boldly say that if I hadn’t become a farmer, my children wouldn’t be in school because their father later passed on,” she said.
Dorcas Ndeogo
Hailing from the Kugashiegu community in the Tempane District, Dorcas Ndeogo is a physically challenged female farmer. Despite her condition, she never considered farming to be exclusively a male profession.
Mrs. Ndeogo emphasized the importance of women actively participating in farming activities, believing it ensures food security, especially at the family level. She noted that her physical challenges and gender are not barriers to traveling long distances to her farm to provide for herself and her children.
“For me, women in farming is something that makes food available in most families here, including mine. It’s not every time you should ask your husband for money to buy things that you could harvest from your own farm. Farming has helped me and my children all this while. I am also into trading, but my focus is on farming because it benefits me more,” she said.
Apana Atakumah
A farmer from Gambibigo in the Bolgatanga East District, Apana Atakumah has taken farming as her profession despite criticism. She remains focused, stating that as long as fertile land is available, she will continue farming to feed and support her children.
Madam Atakumah recounted how she used to be more active on her husband’s farm than he was, which made her realize she could do better managing her own farm.
“I started farming by helping my husband, but eventually, I decided to get my own farmland and manage it myself. Today, I am happy to be a farmer with multiple farmlands. Though I also trade, farming benefits me more. I sell my produce to support my children’s needs—one has completed school, and the others are still in school,” she said.
Gifty Mbankey
Gifty Mbankey, a professional teacher and farmer from the Nabdam District, married in the Bolgatanga Municipality, owns close to 100 acres of farmland. She described farming as a passion and expressed excitement about her work.
“After completing secondary school, I told myself I wanted a piece of land to farm. My father gave it to me, and I started farming. I don’t understand why farming should be left for men. I believe what men can do, women can do better,” she stated.
Mrs. Mbankey also highlighted the criticism she has faced but expressed gratitude for the support from her family. “After harvest, I support people with some of my produce. The availability of food for my family is something I value greatly. Some people point fingers at me, questioning why a woman like me farms so much, but my family supports me, and I see the benefits.”
Recognition
These female farmers’ dedication to farming has not gone unnoticed. They have received recognition and awards from authorities, motivating them to strive for even greater achievements.
- In 2022, during the Farmers’ Day celebration, Madam Abigail Atanga was adjudged the Bolgatanga Municipal Overall Best Farmer. She received various items alongside a certificate as her reward.
- In 2023, the Department of Food and Agriculture in the Tempane District awarded Madam Dorcas Ndeogo as the Best Physically Challenged Female Farmer.
- In 2024, during the Farmers’ Day celebration, MOFA in the Bolgatanga East District awarded Madam Apana Atakumah as the District Best Female Farmer.
- Mrs. Mbankey was also recognized as the Municipal First Runner-Up Best Farmer during the 2024 Farmers’ Day celebration.
Challenges
Despite their contributions to the agricultural sector, these women face numerous challenges, with land ownership being the most significant.
Statistics show that while women make up more than half of the agricultural workforce in rural communities, they rarely own the land they farm. Land is primarily controlled by men and is only provided to women as deemed appropriate.
Other obstacles include inadequate resources, lack of access to basic tools, extension services, technical advice, credit facilities, and biases from laborers. These challenges constrain their ability to increase productivity and income.
Authorities’ Response
“The role that females play cannot be underestimated at all. We cannot do without the female farmer in the production value chain—from land preparation to harvest, female farmers do a lot, and their role can’t be overlooked,” stated the Upper East Regional Director of Food and Agriculture, Alhaji Zakaria Fuseini.
In response to their concerns and challenges, the director noted that his office is making every effort to ensure that female farmers are well-recognized and supported because they significantly contribute to the sector.
He added that an order has been issued to all district directors to ensure that 4 to 5 award recipients on Farmers’ Day are female. According to him, this directive applies not only at the district level but also at the regional level. This year, out of the seven farmers from the region who received national-level regional awards, three were female farmers.
The Upper East Regional Director also assured that his offices remain open to provide female farmers with the necessary support. Additionally, all field officers have been directed to pay special attention to female farmers in the field.
Support from NGOs
Madam Lydia Miyella, Executive Director of the Maaltaaba Peasant Women Farmers Co-operative Organization, a local non-governmental organization operating in the Upper East Region, stated that although stereotypes persist in the agricultural sector, women are encouraged to overcome these biases and focus on their farms.
She also called on traditional leaders and the government to help address some of the challenges female farmers face, especially the issue of land ownership.
The organization, with over 1,000 female farmer members based in the Talensi, Nabdam, and Bongo districts of the Upper East Region, aims to empower women economically, socially, and politically. Its overarching strategy includes improving the skills of women already engaged in peasant farming, agribusiness, environmental conservation, and alternative livelihood development to increase their income and food security while reducing marginalization and abuse.
Farmerline, another organization working to support women farmers in the region, provides education and guidance on farming practices, crop diseases, and other areas. The women farmers have acknowledged and appreciated Farmerline’s contributions to their efforts.
Conclusion
The stories of female farmers in the Upper East Region highlight resilience and determination. However, more must be done to address their challenges, including land ownership, access to resources, and gender equality. By working together, we can promote gender equality in agriculture and support female farmers in reaching their full potential.
Source: A1 Radio Online | 101.1 MHz | David Azure | Bolgatanga
