GREL puts loyalty on the podium, awards 27 rubber farmers on special farmers’ day

Barely a fortnight ago, after the nation rolled out the drums to honour farmers for this year’s farmer’s day, a private sector player has stepped forward to reinforce the same message of appreciation, this time within a specialised segment of Ghana’s agricultural economy.

In a clear demonstration that the responsibility of recognizing farmers go beyond the annual state led celebration, Ghana Rubber Estates Limited (GREL) chose to organise its own awards to honour rubber farmers who consistently supply rubber to the company.
The gesture coming just weeks after the December 5 national event, underscores the growing role of private agribusinesses in motivating farmers, promoting productivity and sustaining value chains.

By celebrating its out-grower and partner farmers with various items and incentives, GREL has not only complemented government efforts, but has also sent a strong signal about the importance of public-private collaboration in agriculture.

A total number of 27 farmers drawn from western, central and Eastern regions were celebrated and awarded on the day.
In Agona Nkwanta, the company honoured 11 hardworking out-grower farmers with the best Rubber Female Farmer going to Hannah Owusu and the best Regional Farmer also going to Christian Amedo, both from Eastern region.

Thirteen farmers were also awarded at New Subri with the best female rubber farmer going to Zenabu Dentu and Best Regional Farmer going to Patrick Sarfo, both from Central region.
Three communities, Kambuli, Cape 3 Points and Koranteng were also awarded as best rubber farming communities.

That apart, four farmers were awarded at Tikobo NO 2, with John Francis Assebian receiving the National Best Rubber farmer award.
The awardees went home with practical and morale-boosting prizes, including tricycles, gas cookers with cylinders, 34-inch television sets and certificates of recognition – items that spoke directly to livelihoods.

Held under the theme “Sustainable Rubber, Stronger Future, Powered by Loyalty and Compliance,” the second GREL Farmers’ Day Awards highlighted a growing narrative in Ghana’s agricultural sector: that beyond annual national celebrations, sustained partnerships and day-to-day farmer support matter most.

The event also served as a platform to reaffirm GREL’s long-standing partnership with its outgrower farmers, showcasing the company’s support systems, including farmer and tapper training, technical farm visits, access to inputs and the guarantee of a ready market for rubber produce.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Head of GREL’s Rubber Technical Assistance and Purchase (RuTAP) Department, Samuel Berko, explained that the company opted for a dedicated farmers’ awards scheme to make recognition more meaningful and impactful than what could be achieved through the national platform alone.

“Farmers need to feel seen and appreciated at the point where they operate,” he noted, adding that sustainability, cooperation and trust remain essential to safeguarding the future of the rubber industry.
Samuel Berko recalled that between 1995 and 2016, GREL implemented the Rubber Outgrower Plantation Programme (ROPP), under which over 30,000 hectares of rubber plantations were developed for more than 8,000 farmers nationwide.

The programme, he said, assured farmers of a ready market while providing technical and logistical support to establish and maintain plantations.
However, he admitted that recent developments, particularly competition from side buyers have strained the once-strong relationship between the company and some outgrowers.

“Some farmers have found new partners and neglected GREL. These partners are not interested in sustainability but profit. They lure farmers with marginal price increases and even cheat on the scale,” he alleged.
Despite these challenges, Samuel Berko reaffirmed GREL’s unwavering commitment to farmers and the long-term growth of the rubber sector.

“As you know, we have been with you, we are with you and we will continue to be with you,” he assured.
He outlined several interventions undertaken by the company to promote sustainable rubber production, including regular training for farmers, caretakers and tappers; technical farm inspections; specialised support for large-scale farmers; decentralisation of buying centres; and the provision of farm inputs.

Although GREL fell short of its production targets this year due to stiff competition from side buyers, Mr Berko praised farmers who remained loyal and called on them to act as ambassadors of sustainability by encouraging others to return.

The Ahanta West Municipal Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), Mr Dennis Adjei Antwi, used the occasion to remind farmers that productivity must go hand in hand with environmental responsibility.
He cautioned against indiscriminate tree felling and urged farmers to adopt environmentally friendly practices to combat climate change.

“Trees absorb carbon dioxide and reduce the effects of climate change. Protecting them is not optional,” he stressed.
Mr Antwi encouraged farmers to embrace agroforestry and intercropping, noting that rubber takes about seven years to mature and that farmers need alternative income streams during that period.

He also urged diversification into alternative livelihoods such as beekeeping, explaining that rubber plantations provide a conducive environment for honey production and that MoFA officers are available to support interested farmers.

According to him, increased rubber production contributes significantly to the national economy through employment creation, poverty reduction and foreign exchange earnings, while also enabling companies and farmers to invest in community development projects.
Some award recipients also shared advice with their colleagues. The Best Rubber Farmer at Agona Nkwanta, Christian Kweku Amedor urged farmers to uphold best practices and channel all their raw rubber to GREL.

Madam Hannah Owusu, adjudged Best Female Rubber Farmer, echoed the call, cautioning against selling produce to side buyers.

 

 

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