Oyster Agribusiness has intensified its push to strengthen Ghana’s agricultural value chain, honouring more than 40 farmers at its 2026 Farmers’ Durbar while outlining plans to expand production, diversify into new sectors and deepen value addition.
The event, held in Kintampo in the Bono East Region, brought together over 650 farmers, development partners, traditional authorities and municipal officials to celebrate the contribution of smallholder farmers to food security and economic growth.
The annual durbar, a key feature of the company’s farmer engagement strategy, is aimed at motivating producers and recognising excellence across its operational areas.
At the ceremony, 12 farmers were recognised as top performers for the 2024 and 2025 cropping seasons, receiving awards including tricycles, motorbikes, deep freezers, planters, fertiliser applicators and knapsack sprayers, as well as agrochemicals. The company also extended targeted support to persons with disabilities, including the donation of wheelchairs, underscoring its commitment to inclusivity.
For the 2024 season, Nana Edmund A. Kandituo of Kyinya emerged as Overall Best Farmer after producing 246 bags of sorghum. Tiwaa Felicia of Kobeda No. 2 was adjudged Best Female Farmer, while Haruna Duut, also of Kobeda No. 2, was named Best Farmer with Disability with a yield of 68.4 bags. Likpaam Mamey recorded the highest yield per acre at 27.72 bags.
In the 2025 season, Mohammed Ahmed of Kawanpe was named Overall Best Farmer with 304 bags. Dora Yeboah of Bantama won Best Female Farmer with 94.16 bags, while Ibrahim Ibn-Iddrisu of Kadelso was adjudged Best New Farmer with 190.38 bags.
Other award winners included Kofi Mwene (Best Youth Farmer), Jaboni Ninboti (Best First Season Farmer), Diekuu Alosius (Best Farmer with Disability) and Alice Ankomah, who recorded the highest yield per acre.
Chief Executive Officer of Oyster Agribusiness, Elizabeth Bidzakin, said the company’s growth has been driven by a deliberate strategy that combines input support, climate-smart training and guaranteed market access for farmers.
“Our approach is to build a resilient and inclusive agricultural ecosystem where farmers are not only supported to produce but are assured of markets and opportunities to increase their incomes,” she said, adding that women, youth and persons with disabilities remain central to the company’s programme design.
She disclosed that the company is expanding beyond staple crop production into vegetable farming, poultry, livestock and aquaculture, which she described as critical for job creation and long-term sustainability.
The company is also scaling up value addition, processing products such as tuo zaafi flour, peanuts, gari and melon seeds to enhance market value and farmer incomes.
Currently operating in 10 districts in the Bono East Region, Oyster Agribusiness has extended its activities to the Ejura-Sekyedumase and Mampong municipalities in the Ashanti Region, supporting about 30,000 farmers annually.
The expansion has been rapid. From 64 farmers cultivating 182 acres in 2022, participation increased to 192 farmers on 1,600 acres in 2023, and 1,409 farmers across 5,000 acres in 2024. In 2025, the programme grew to 2,470 farmers cultivating 8,129 acres across 10 districts.
The growth trend has continued into 2026, with support already extended to 120 communities during the first season. About 2,500 farmers have registered to cultivate nearly 10,000 acres in the major rainy season.
The Bono East Regional Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, James Adu, commended the company’s contribution to smallholder development, describing its work as a “yeoman’s service” to the sector.
He said the Ministry would incorporate Oyster Agribusiness’ activities into its monitoring framework to promote modern and sustainable farming practices.
“As we celebrate the dedication of our farmers, it is important that all stakeholders, government, private sector and development partners, strengthen collaboration to address persistent challenges including market access, infrastructure gaps and climate risks,” he said.
Kintampo Municipal Director of Agriculture, Eric Kontomah, also called for stronger partnerships, noting that sustained agricultural growth depends on coordinated support across the value chain.
On behalf of the Kintampo Municipal Chief Executive, Coordinating Director Johnson Nyarko highlighted the company’s role in addressing market constraints that have historically led to post-harvest losses and low farmgate prices.
Beneficiary farmers shared testimonies at the event, with Gifty Awuni from Nyamebekyere reporting improved yields and income since joining the programme in 2023, while Haruna Duut said increased production had enabled him to better support his family and fund his children’s education.
Representatives from development partners, including IDH, RDF LBG, the Ghana Climate Innovation Centre and Calli Ghana Ltd, attended the durbar alongside traditional leaders and local officials, signalling growing collaboration in advancing sustainable agriculture.
Source:
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