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IDRC Photo:  Monica Rucki

Isa, a Ghanaian urban farmer, works on his vegetable plots every day, producing what he says are the sweetest tomatoes, juiciest cucumbers, and healthiest spring onions in all of Ghana!  On this sunny morning, just after sunrise, Isa is working hard weeding his crops in the heart of Ghana’s capital, Accra. Unemployment is rife in the city, resulting in activities such as urban farming.  For two years, Isa could not find steady work so decided to rent a piece of land and become a farmer. 

 

Isa is not alone – if one was to pan out from this picture, 200 acres of farmland squeezed between a downtown subway station and a large sewage gutter would be revealed. This land, once written off as unfit for development, was recently transformed by the Ghanaian Ministry of Food and Agriculture into thriving vegetable plots.  Anyone can rent a piece of land to plant their own vegetable garden, which allows many to make this their livelihood.  The farm provides income for many and food for many more!

Multimedia 6 of 20