Oyster Agribusiness has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Ghana’s agricultural value chain by recognising over 40 farmers at its 2026 Farmers’ Durbar and outlining plans to scale up support, diversify production, and expand value addition.
The annual event, held in Kintampo, brought together more than 650 farmers, development partners, and local officials to celebrate the role of smallholder farmers in food security and economic growth. As part of the ceremony, 12 farmers were honoured for outstanding performance during the 2024 and 2025 farming seasons, receiving items such as tricycles, motorbikes, farm equipment, and agrochemicals. The company also extended support to persons with disabilities, including the donation of wheelchairs.
Top performers included Nana Edmund A. Kandituo, who was named Overall Best Farmer for 2024 after producing 246 bags of sorghum, and Mohammed Ahmed, who emerged as the 2025 Overall Best Farmer with 304 bags. Other awards recognised achievements among women, youth, new farmers, and persons with disabilities.
Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Bidzakin said the company’s growth is driven by a strategy that combines input support, climate-smart training, and guaranteed market access. She emphasised the company’s focus on building an inclusive agricultural ecosystem that prioritises women, youth, and vulnerable groups.
She further revealed plans to expand beyond staple crops into vegetables, poultry, livestock, and aquaculture, while scaling up value-added products such as tuo zaafi flour, peanuts, gari, and melon seeds to increase market value.
Currently operating across 10 districts in Bono East and expanding into the Ejura-Sekyedumase and Mampong areas in the Ashanti Region, the company now supports about 30,000 farmers annually. Its growth has been rapid, increasing from 64 farmers in 2022 to over 2,400 farmers cultivating more than 8,000 acres in 2025, with further expansion underway in 2026.
Officials from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture Ghana commended the initiative, highlighting its contribution to smallholder development and pledging closer collaboration to promote sustainable farming practices.
Local authorities also underscored the importance of partnerships in addressing challenges such as market access, infrastructure gaps, and climate risks. Farmers who have benefited from the programme shared testimonies of improved yields, higher incomes, and enhanced livelihoods.
Development partners, including IDH, Ghana Climate Innovation Centre, and Calli Ghana Ltd, joined traditional leaders and municipal officials at the durbar, reinforcing support for the initiative.
Source: 3news
