Challenges and Triumphs: The Journey of Rice Farming of Boahemaa Ruth
Boahemaa Ruth, a seasoned farmer with 20 years of experience cultivates 10 acres of various crops, including 5 acres of rice. She began her farming journey at 18, starting with plantain and cocoa before expanding into rice farming. The process from seed planting to cultivation is complex requiring attention to detail. After planting, the young rice seedlings are particularly vulnerable to birds and pests, necessitating constant vigilance. Applying the right fertilizers at the appropriate times is crucial for healthy growth, while climate change poses unpredictable challenges that can affect yield. Adequate water supply is also essential as rice is a water-intensive crop.
Cultivating rice on a large scale without support can be challenging . Boahemaa once managed to produce 20 bags of rice on her own but now plants in sessions under the guidance of an agricultural master and supervisor. This approach has allowed her to maintain productivity and manage her resources more effectively. However, the low price rates for local rice and the lack of modern machinery to efficiently separate the finished rice from the chaff remain significant issues, increasing labor costs and reducing overall efficiency.
Despite these, Boahemaa's innovative spirit shines through. She barters her homemade palm soup in exchange for labor, ensuring she has the necessary help to manage her farm. This creative solution not only sustains her farming operations but also strengthens community bonds. Her dedication to farming and resourcefulness in overcoming challenges exemplify the resilience needed to thrive in agriculture. Addressing issues like low local rice prices and the need for modern machinery is essential for improving the livelihoods of rice farmers. With continued support and innovation, farmers can overcome these challenges and achieve sustainable success.
NB: The 6th Women in Food and Agricultural Leadership Training Forum (WOFAGRIC) and Gold in The Soil Awards is an AgriWoman recognition, empowerment and mentorship intervention national platform that annually enables and supports women farmers, processors, input dealers, transporters, marketers and service providers to build resilience and scale up their agribusinesses with the theme “OVERCOMING THE BARRIERS TO WOMEN AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT.”
Main event Slated for July 9th to 10th, 2024 at Sunyani Technical University.
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Research projectmanager - Coaching Thesis students / Lecturer NEVI 1+2 / 6∑ Black Belt - Nevi Memberscouncil
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