Last week, Safisana was honored to host farmer and agric-influencer Ms. Enyonam Manye Adjetey, better know as “The Ghanaian Farmer”, a TV show on Joy Prime Channel and a YouTube channel with over 53.1k subscribers. She visited our recycling plant to shoot a mini-documentary about Safisana’s recycling model and contribution to sustainable farming and circular food production. A great opportunity for us to interview Ghana’s most influential lady farmer!
Over the past four years, The Ghanaian Farmer has become the go-to channel for both Ghanaians and the African diaspora interested in Ghanaian agriculture. Tell us all about your work and mission.
“Well, my work spans four key areas. First and foremost, I am a farmer, growing various vegetables myself. Secondly, I founded “The Ghanaian Farmer” platform, to educate the audience on Ghanaian agriculture. I amplifying the voices of farmers to enhance communication between farmers and agricultural companies, such as Safisana. Thirdly, I am the founder of the Count on Crops Hub, which hosts workshops for farmers to learn about specific crops at her farm. Lastly, I also organize seminars and conferences that bring together stakeholders, creating a platform for dialogue and offering market opportunities for farmers to connect with buyers and traders.”
Can you tell us about your journey and how you became known as ‘The Ghanaian Farmer’?
“Growing up in a Ghanaian farming family, I was always closely connected to the agricultural landscape. My dad grew various vegetables on his farm, this introduced me to the importance of farming from a young age. Inspired by his work and story, I felt a strong desire to share his story and the stories of other farmers. After completing my Bachelor’s in Strategic Communications at the African University College in Accra and obtaining a diploma in Journalism from Jayee University College, I noticed that the preferred choice of journalism in Ghana was often centered around sports, politics, or economics. This realization motivated me to take a different path and focus entirely on the Ghanaian agricultural sector, which plays a significant role in our economy. This decision allowed me to stand out and establish my platform, ‘The Ghanaian Farmer,’ where I could shed light on this vital industry.”
What inspired you to become an agric-influencer?
“Initially, my dad inspired my passion for farming. As a farmer, he produces maize, okra, and red pepper in Ghana. During my education in journalism and PR, I noticed nothing was said about farmers. Their stories were not shared meanwhile it’s the agricultural sector that builds economic growth. That inspired me to spread the word, raise awareness, and share farmers’ stories. The agric-sector in Ghana not only feeds the nation but also has the potential to create the biggest employment. Yet, the problem is that many people don’t know that. If people knew more about agriculture, the employment rate of graduates in Ghana would be much higher. For example, most people think of hard work under the sun when thinking of agriculture. However, working in agriculture can be so much more than that. Take Safisana for instance, there are administrative offices here but the model is related to agriculture.”
“Organizations like Safisana, are what I want to promote farmers to use. That way we can create a sustainable farming system that improves public health, the economy, and youth unemployment.”
WHat projects are you currently working on?
“Recently, I started Agric for Girls, an initiative to empower unemployed young women with trainings and partnerships to provide them the knowledge and tools to become self-employed. Moreover, there are many work opportunities related to the agricultural sector in Ghana. Therefore, I place a high focus on grooming youth in agriculture supporting them in identifying business opportunities. Besides farming, you can become an agric-influencer like me, or get into buying and selling of organic fertilizers. Moreover, you can become a tour guide for people who want to visit Ghanaian farmers. With my platform, I empower young people to get into agriculture and start up a business.”
Within your four years of work, you have achieved quite some partnerships and milestones, did you expect all this to happen from the start?
“Honestly, in 2020 it started slow, what I was doing was something new. It took about a year for people to understand the value of my platform. After some time I got more calls after each video I uploaded. The biggest takeaway from my work is that consistency is key, no matter what work you do. I built my own brand and now have a team of eight people, including my videographer, editor, HR, and a reporter. Throughout the past years, I have established partnerships with renowned organizations such as the World Food Program’s Youth Link Program, the Dutch Embassy, and C.A.S.T.N.E.T. International Chamber of Commerce in the USA. I received different awards from the African Women in Agribusiness Award to the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists/ Alltech Young Leaders Award in Canada in 2023.
It was the inspiration from my dad to tell not only his story but also those of others that has brought me this far.”
Today you shot at Safisana’s plant for The Ghanaian Farmer. How do you see our Premium Organic Fertilizer Asase Gyefo?
“Shooting at Safisana’s site today was very insightful, I am excited to know more about what Safisana does. I knew of Safisana and Asase Gyefo because we have attended at similar events. What I commend about Safisana is the focus on public health. Health is a priority, no matter what you do or earn, we need to be healthy to enjoy what we have. Safisana focuses on health by producing quality and safe Organic Fertilizer for food production. I can see Safisana has invested by the machinery and people and scale in which Safisana operates. It is visible that you care about the community and the country.”
“Through my platforms, I encourage farmers to adopt to organic farming. Therefore, we need organizations like Safisana that make organic fertilizers available throughout the country. With your distributors network, Asase Gyefo Premium Organic Fertilizer is accessible nationwide.”
“Another thing I was impressed to learn today is how Safisana involves the community in every step of the plant production process. From the enlightening the women in the market on waste segregation, to bringing it to the site and to produce Asase Gyefo to grow our food is commendable. Your agronomist, Daniel Larkai, is on site ready to support farmers education on the organic fertilizer. Organizations like Safisana, are what I want to promote farmers to use. That way we can create a sustainable farming system that improves public health, the economy, and youth unemployment.”
