The bittersweet journey of farming: Successes and challenges

Every meal we enjoy is a testament to the hard work of farmers worldwide. From planting and nurturing to harvesting, their tireless efforts bring the food to our tables.

It is a journey we often take for granted, but one that’s filled with both the sweet satisfaction of success and the bitter challenges they face along the way.

While farming can be deeply fulfilling, it comes with its fair share of challenges that often remain hidden to those who simply enjoy the final product.

Bernard Bright-Davies, a 57-year-old professional banker, and Mbersanten Enyidar Enyinnda, an experienced 55-year-old engineer, who are now farmers, generously shared their insights into the successes and trials of their farming lives.

They cultivate a diverse range of crops, from plantains to maize, cassava, yam, taro, pepper, and various vegetables.

To an outsider, farming might seem like a straightforward process of sowing and tending crops.

However, after listening to their stories, one can’t help but feel a mix of emotions, from admiration to empathy.

The joy of farming

Speaking with Bernard Bright-Davies, who has dedicated a significant part of his life to farming in the Greater Accra Region, he emphasized that farming is a rewarding endeavor, as it brings a sense of purpose to one’s life but comes with its own challenges.

He mentioned that the joy of seeing one’s produce ready for the market is incredibly satisfying, as it’s time to reap some profits.

He said, “Personally, I was drawn to farming because of the immense satisfaction it offers and the feeling that I’m contributing to feeding the world and helping achieve the Sustainable Development Goal on food security. If I were to dwell on the external challenges, I might have given up farming long ago.”

Challenges faced

One of the challenges identified by these farmers was the uncertainty in weather patterns, a situation that needs to be addressed by the adoption of climate-smart approaches.

The World Bank, in a publicly published document on the topic “Climate-Smart Agriculture Investment Plan for Ghana,” stated that climate change’s manifestations in the agriculture sector are erratic, including increasing, unpredictable rainfall patterns, frequent long dry spells, flash floods, and shortening of the rainy season.

These unpredictable weather patterns pose one of the largest risks to the agricultural sector’s ability to contribute to improved livelihoods and economic transformation.

According to the farmers, rains are unpredictable, unlike during the olden times when rains came at specific months of the year.

In addition to the destruction caused by changes in climatic patterns, the problem of irrigation structures persists.

They mentioned that while they have a well, it’s not dependable, so they mostly depend on rain for irrigation.

This is not a sustainable solution, especially for crops like plantains that require proper irrigation, particularly during the dry season.

The mainstay crop for these farmers is plantains, which require proper irrigation, especially during the dry season.

A report from PlantVillage validates this, stating, “Plantains are fast-growing and require regular nutrient additions, as well as additional irrigation during the dry season.”

Bernard Bright-Davies emphasized, “We need a proper irrigation facility here on the farm. If we have all-year-round irrigation, we will be very happy, as it will increase food productivity on the farm.”

Mbersanten, with eighteen years of farming experience, laments the damage caused by the intrusion of cattle onto their farms by livestock herders and their animals.

He mentioned that some community members harvest the ripe plantains without authorization, leading to significant losses.

He also highlighted that theft remains an ongoing concern, particularly when their produce is nearing the harvest stage.

Supporting sustainable farming

The journey of farming is truly a blend of dedication and hardship for farmers like Bernard Bright-Davies and Mbersanten Enyidar Enyinnda.

While they find deep satisfaction in contributing to food security and seeing their produce ready for market, they also face significant challenges.

Therefore, their success and the sustainability of farming as a whole greatly depend on the crucial support provided by stakeholders and developmental partners.

Investors are called upon to identify potential farms and invest in the sector to ensure its sustainability and food security for all. Farming is not just a profession; it’s a way of life that requires collective efforts to overcome challenges and celebrate successes.

Source:zedmultimedia