Concerned Farmers Association calls for licensing and training of farmers

The Concerned Farmers Association of Ghana is calling for the formal licensing and training of farmers, warning that unsafe agrochemical use and outdated practices are undermining consumer trust and threatening Ghana’s position in international markets.

The Association argued that farming should be regulated like other professions such as medicine, law, or teaching, where practitioners are certified and held accountable for their practices.

According to the group, without stricter regulation, contaminated produce could spark public health risks locally and lead to costly rejection of Ghanaian exports abroad.

In an interview with Citi Business News, President of the Association, Nana Oboadie Boateng Bonsu, stressed that with agriculture contributing billions of cedis to GDP and employing a significant share of the workforce, Ghana cannot afford to allow poor standards to persist.

“The Concerned Farmers Association of Ghana is calling on all Farmer-Based Organisations (FBOs) to come together to regulate the farming profession. This call is due to concerns about the abuse of agrochemicals on crops and poor agricultural practices,” the group stated.

They further emphasized: “Farming is a profession like medicine, teaching, or law. Just as lawyers or doctors require licenses and training, farmers should also undergo proper training and licensing to operate.”

The Association added that stronger oversight and professional training would help reduce health risks associated with unsafe farming practices and improve the quality of produce for both local consumption and export.