A Small Plot Brings Big Returns in Ghana: Beatrice’s Story
AHAFO REGION, GHANA – Beatrice Amponsah, a 32-year-old farmer from Subrisu, is redefining what is possible for small-scale agriculture in her community. With determination, openness to learning, and a willingness to try improved farming practices, she has transformed a modest piece of land into a profitable onion enterprise.
Like many smallholder farmers, Beatrice struggled with uncertain yields and limited income. Erratic rainfall reduced her pepper output, and falling prices at the time of harvest led to few profits. After attending a series of trainings by East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer Foundation (EWS-KT) at a neighboring farmer’s onion demonstration plot, she was convinced she had found a new path forward.
She quickly decided to implement the evidence-based onion production practices she had learned in her own field. Guided by a clear business plan and sound agronomic principles, she began to grow onions on her 250 square meters of land.
Beatrice invested approximately 380 cedis (US$34) to establish her onion farm. This investment covered land preparation, quality inputs, and crop management practices. She carefully followed the recommended planting distances to ensure optimal growth and airflow, applied appropriate fertilizers at the right time to nourish the crop, and used organic mulch to conserve soil moisture and suppress weeds.
These techniques quickly showed results. The onions grew vigorously, with strong, healthy plants and uniform bulb development. Proper spacing and nutrient management reduced competition among plants, while good field hygiene and the use of neem oil to manage insect pests minimized losses.
At harvest, the results spoke for themselves. Beatrice sold her onions for a total income of 1,600 cedis (US$145). After deducting her initial investment, she realized an impressive profit of 1,220 cedis (US$111), more than triple what she put into the farm. For Beatrice, this was more than just financial gain; it was a turning point. “I’m super excited about the outcome I achieved,” she said.
Her success has boosted her confidence in the farming methods recommended by EWS-KT and has strengthened her belief that agriculture, when done right, can be a reliable and rewarding business. Today, Beatrice proudly shares her experience with other farmers in Subrisu, encouraging them to adopt improved practices to increase productivity and income.
Beatrice’s story shows that with the right knowledge, planning, and commitment, even a small plot of land can yield big results.
Beatrice received training and guidance from EWS-KT under the Transforming Vegetable Farming as a Business project, which is supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Accra.
