The Chief Executive officer of P Farms at Ejura Mr. Issifu Mohammed Pangabu says there are more riches in agribusiness than gold mining. He says that is why places like Ejura Sekyedumase which is an agribusiness town is richer than Obuasi which is a gold mining town.
“There is money to be made in Ejura than there is in Obuasi because about 10% or less of the population in Obuasi can be said to be rich whereas about 70% of the young men in Ejura who are involved in farming and agribusiness are all rich,” Mr. Pangabu said in an interview at his warehouse.
He said there were about 250 pieces of home-used farm tractors owned by the young farmers, each of which costs about Ghc 65,000.00 that were bought by indigenes with their personal monies. It’s no secret as one would find at least a tractor parked in front of every house in the community or on the street, probably on the way to the farm or coming back from it.
Mr. Pangabu said residents in the Ejura community have come to understood farming and its importance, as well as benefits and this is encouraging a lot of them to get involved. “Farm land is hard to come by in Ejura these days because they have all been cultivated. The farmers from this area are now extending their business to the neighboring towns,” Mr. Pangabu emphasized as he showed off his garage parked with luxurious cars, including a Lexus 4×4 vehicle, which he says he bought with proceeds from farming activities.
He says those who could not get land to cultivate in the Ejura township have taken up agri-business ventures in selling agro-chemical products, machine parts or are mechanically involved in the business of servicing farm machinery. Others have also taken up job opportunities in the transportation of foodstuff from the market as well as packaging of farm produce.
Located in the Adansi – East District, Obuasi is the golden town of the Ashanti region and a major producer of gold. Despite many years of gold mining there, poverty levels remain high and unemployment following the closure of some of the mines has risen drastically. Less farming activities happen in Obuasi compared to Ejura where farming has become popular among the youth and middle-aged men. Corn, cowpea, soya beans, garden eggs, and pepper are among the most produced food crops in the area. Migrants from other parts of the country including the northern part and middle belt have been moving to Ejura over the years to undertake farming activities.
Report by James Fiifi Ampah
