The Vast Potential in Crop Farming – Daniel Kwasi Tawiah Shows the Way

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Daniel Kwasi Tawiah’s journey in agriculture is a living example of the expression, ‘passion fuels dream.’ For Daniel, the classroom was not the best place for him to fully express his potential. Seeming quite embarrassed about it, he recalls, “I was not smart in school and always returned home with poor grades.”

However, his eyes lit up when he began to speak about his love for agriculture. “I learned early that school was not for me. It was just not working for me so after Junior Secondary School (now Junior High School), I decided to go into farming which I already found exciting!”

It all started in 1992 and Daniel has not looked back since then. After the decision to venture into agribusiness, he now owns a two-acre pepper farm, a three-acre garden egg farm, an eight-acre rice farm, a twelve-acre cocoa farm, a pen which houses 15 sheep and an agro-chemical shop which he set up for his wife to manage. Daniel’s not done yet. Intrinsic to his burgeoning strategy in farming, he has constructed a pigsty to begin a piggery. This man means business.

From seed in the soil to cash in the pocket

Describing how business works for him, from planting to harvesting, Daniel says since
he sought to make a living out farming, he decided to venture into two fast-yielding
crops; pepper and garden eggs. He said the decision has been rewarding, revealing
that, “Pepper takes about three (3) to four (4) months to be ready for harvesting, and the good part is that you can continue to harvest for one year after the first harvest.”

During harvest seasons, he harvests seven (7) to eight (8) bags of pepper weekly,
selling each bag at an average GHS120. Additionally, he harvests 30 bags of garden
eggs weekly and sells them at GHS80 per bag. The harvest time for garden eggs is also
three (3) months after planting.

Opportunities in agriculture

In a 2016 published report on the case of Ghana in Youth inclusiveness in agricultural transformation, the Author, Yannicke Goris asserts that,

The agricultural sector is seen as having the most potential of catalyzing economic growth and employment for young people, especially given the growing demand for food and raw materials. Yet, throughout Sub-Saharan Africa – and Ghana is no exception – young people do not regard agriculture as a viable job option.

Daniel is one of the few Ghanaians blazing the trail in agriculture. Apart from his undying passion for his trade, a unique trait Daniel possesses is his versatility in agriculture. He is living proof that one can earn their income solely from agriculture once they fully explore the commercial avenues.

RDF’s influence in the sector

RDF Ghana is proud to be a part of Daniel’s journey. Daniel is a beneficiary of RDF’s line of credit disbursed to Rural and Community Banks for the development of
agriculture and rural development. He has benefitted from three (3) loan cycles
including the Asset Finance Facility, from Sefwiman Rural Bank (a Partner Financial
Institution of RDF) to enable him to purchase a Kia truck to facilitate the movement of
his goods.

As is characteristic of any business, there are challenges that need to be overcome.
Daniel shared some of his challenges with RDF.

The land tenure system has not been too favourable to Daniel. Thus he keeps moving
from one place to the other to plant, grow and harvest. He is currently seeking a piece
of land he can own for the long term.

Also, Daniel pointed out a need for education on disease control, a request RDF is
strongly considering for his benefit and the benefit of other farmers within his
community. Last year, RDF in partnership with Kwame Nkrumah University of Science
and Technology (KNUST) organised an Integrated Soil and Fertility Management
(ISFM) programme to deliver training and support services to a total of 448 cocoa and
other crop farmers in the Western, Western-North, and Central Regions. As a result of consistent engagements with farmers like Daniel and agribusiness players in general, Daniel should soon be benefitting from these pieces of training and services aimed at boosting the quality and volumes of agricultural produce.

The future is here

Daniel Tawiah is making it happen! He is feeding his family and communities, employing people and making agriculture thrive. He owns two houses and employs three people. You can do it too. Let’s start with a backyard garden, shall we? The results will certainly be exciting to see. RDF asks, “Are you the next Daniel?”