Meet Veronica Abrokwah, a 30-year-old nurse based in Akumadan, who is not only committed to saving lives at the Akumadan-Afrancho AME Zion Hospital but is also building a flourishing second career—as a tomato farmer and processor.
Veronica’s agribusiness journey began in 2023, shortly after being posted to the hospital. Recognizing the economic potential in Akumadan’s thriving tomato value chain, she boldly rented a one-acre plot to begin cultivation. Her debut harvest yielded 8 boxes of tomatoes—but was marred by post-harvest losses, leaving her with just 10% profit. It was a tough start, and nearly enough to make her quit
.
But her story took a turn in September 2024, when she participated in a training organized by TechnoServe under the Harnessing Agricultural Productivity and Prosperity for Youth (HAPPY) program—an initiative of the Mastercard Foundation, in partnership with Agri-Impact Limited.
The training covered good agronomic practices, post-harvest loss management, and tomato processing. One key lesson stood out to her: “Together, we are stronger.” The value of group formation for collective bargaining and market access became clear.
Motivated and equipped, Veronica teamed up with 19 other young women (ages 18–35) to form an all-female farmer group: Agat Royal Farmers.
Through the HAPPY program, the group benefited from knowledge-sharing sessions and strong market linkages. Veronica’s profits improved dramatically. With enhanced skills and collective bargaining power, she now pays ₵600 instead of ₵650 for land rental and enjoys reduced costs on labor and inputs.
Her yields have also doubled—from 8–10 boxes to 15–20 boxes per season. Thanks to improved quality, reduced losses, and better marketing, she now earns ₵5,000 per season—a 45% increase in income.
Veronica balances her dual roles by working night shifts at the hospital, freeing up her days for farming. Her Agat Royal peers support her when work gets demanding, proving that sisterhood can drive success.
Looking ahead to 2025, Veronica plans to expand to five acres and employ two young women to support her growing tomato production and processing business. With the guidance and networks provided by the HAPPY program, her dream of creating more opportunities for women in Akumadan is becoming a reality.
Veronica’s journey is a powerful example of what’s possible when passion meets purpose. She hopes her story inspires other young women to explore multiple career paths and take bold steps toward economic independence and career diversification.
