At 63,Madam. Mary Wemim is proving that resilience, determination, and a passion for farming can create lasting change. For decades, she has devoted herself to agriculture, using the land not only to build a livelihood but also to provide for her family and inspire others to pursue farming with confidence.
“Start small and keep working. When people see your effort, they will come and support you. Farming is something you can learn and grow with,” Mary says, offering words of encouragement to young people and women considering a future in agriculture.
Mary’s farming journey began with the support of Agricultural Extension Officers, who introduced her to improved farming practices. Through their guidance, she learned proper planting techniques, the best planting periods for different crops, and effective farm management practices. The knowledge she gained became the foundation for the successful farming enterprise she manages today.
Over the years, farming has enabled her to raise her children, support her household, and contribute to food production within her community. What began as a means of survival has grown into a lifelong commitment to agriculture and community development.
Today, she cultivates beans, groundnuts, yellow maize, white maize, and soya beans. Her farm consists of two acres each of beans, groundnuts, yellow maize, and white maize, as well as one and a half acres of soya beans. She employs daily farm labourers and hires workers for specialized activities such as crop spraying to keep her farm productive.
Like many smallholder farmers, Mary continues to face challenges, including limited access to tractor services and inadequate financial resources to expand her farming operations. Yet, these obstacles have never discouraged her. Instead, they have strengthened her determination to continue farming and inspire others to believe in the opportunities agriculture presents.
Mary’s outstanding commitment, resilience, and contribution to Ghana’s agricultural sector have earned her a nomination in the Princess Carla Category of Agrihouse Foundation’s Gold in the Soil Awards.
The awards form part of the 8th Women in Food and Agricultural Leadership Forum (WOFAGRIC) and Gold in the Soil Awards, scheduled to take place from 22nd to 23rd July 2026 in the Savannah Region. The event will celebrate and honour exceptional women whose dedication, innovation, and leadership continue to transform Ghana’s agricultural sector while inspiring the next generation of women in agribusiness.
Mary Wemim’s story is a powerful reminder that every successful farming journey begins with a single step. Through perseverance, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to growth, she has demonstrated that agriculture remains a pathway to economic empowerment, food security, and hope for future generations.
