Sowing Seeds of Change: Kwabena Mends Empowering Women in Agriculture

Women in Ghana’s agricultural sector for many years have faced systemic barriers, often excluded from leadership roles and denied equal access to resources. However, a quiet transformation is unfolding, led by Kwabena Mends of EMFED Farms. His mission is to shift the paradigm, empowering women to take center stage in agriculture. Through education, training, and opportunity, Kwabena is dismantling the old structures that have kept women on the sidelines, enabling them to drive innovation and shape the future of sustainable farming.

Kwabena Mends on this cocoa farm

Kwabena’s Farming Renaissance

Kwabena’s story hails from the very soil that shaped his grandparents and parents. Born into a lineage of farmers, he was raised amidst the rich soils that had sustained his family for generations. Yet, as a young man, he yearned for a life beyond the cocoa fields since his father and uncle insisted, he pursue a career outside agriculture.

“Though my father, grandparents were all farmers I wanted to have nothing to do with farming after university. But sometimes, life calls you back to your roots.”  he recalls.

After earning a degree and stepping into the corporate world, Kwabena’s life took an unexpected turn. A sudden layoff from his white-collar job left him at a crossroads. It was during this period of uncertainty that he rediscovered his passion for agriculture—a field that had always been overshadowed by his professional pursuits.

Embracing this newfound calling, Kwabena founded EMFED Farms in 2012, a venture designed to assist smallholder cocoa farmers, particularly the elderly and widows unable to afford upfront labor costs. His company offers comprehensive farm management services, including pruning, harvesting, and the production of bio fertilizer made of compost to enhance farm productivity.

But perhaps the most impactful of all, is his commitment to women’s empowerment. At the heart of EMFED’s mission is a focus on ensuring that women not only play an active role in agriculture but also lead and influence the direction of the industry.

Breaking Barriers: Women at the Center of Change

For years, the perception of women in rural communities has remained tethered to domestic roles thus supporting their husbands, managing households, and tilling family plots just enough for survival however Kwabena is challenging this status quo.

“Women are the backbone of agriculture, yet they are often sidelined. I realized that by empowering women, we uplift entire families and communities.” he explains.

On Kwabena’s farms, women are not just workers, they are leaders, learners, and innovators. He prioritizes their employment, often hiring more women than men.

“I have noticed that women are more committed, meticulous, loyal, and their attention to detail are unmatched,” Kwabena affirms.

Anan Linda, a Compost Supervisor at EMFED Farms who started at the company with no formal agricultural training, shares, “This opportunity has changed my life. I feel valued for my contributions, and I’m a proof that woman can excel in this space.

Women processing compost for bio fertilizer

Training, Mentoring, and Smart Agriculture

Kwabena’s approach to empowerment goes beyond employment. Through structured training programs, he mentors women on smart agricultural practices, equipping them with the skills to thrive in a competitive industry.

Women on his farm learn how to remodel compost into bio-fertilizer, turning agricultural waste into a valuable resource. This technique not only enhances soil fertility but also gives women an entrepreneurial edge.

34-year-old Anan Linda further elaborating on the impact of EMFED training noted, “Before, I couldn’t find work after school. Now I know how to make compost, and I’ve started selling it to support my children.”

Through sharing knowledge typically confined to university classrooms, Kwabena is breaking barriers and bridging the gap between academia and practical application, enhancing the livelihood of these women

“I don’t see illiteracy as a limitation. With the right training, anyone can excel,” he insists.

For many women working at EMFED Farms, employment has opened doors to independence and stability. The impact resonating deeply, far beyond the cocoa fields.

Anan Linda on the right processing bio fertilizer

Defying Stereotypes, Redefining Roles

In a society where traditional gender roles still dominate, Kwabena’s work offers a fresh narrative. Women once confined to subsistence farming are now creating businesses, contributing to household income, and leading innovation in agriculture.

“We’re proving that women are not just helpers on the farm. They are changemakers and leaders.”  Kwabena says.

His approach is creating a generation of women who defy the stereotype of being domesticated wives. His vision is creating a ripple effect with more women stepping into leadership roles, more families breaking free from poverty, and more communities gaining economic strength

Women working on compost

Sustainability and Community Impact

Kwabena’s work stands on a foundation of sustainability. By teaching women how to produce and sell bio-fertilizer, he addresses both environmental challenges and economic gaps. This eco-friendly practice ensures that farming remains viable for future generations.

“Repurposing cocoa pods and other farm waste into compost doesn’t just enrich the soil; it’s a responsibility to our environment,” Kwabena notes.

His innovative mindset has inspired others, and continues to transforming his entire community and beyond.

A Vision for the Future

Looking ahead, Kwabena dreams of scaling his model to empower even more women across Ghana.

“No farmer’s land should lie fallow because of sickness, age, or lack of knowledge,” he says.

His focus remains clear which is to combine innovation, compassion, and sustainability to reshape the agricultural landscape.

Kwabena Mends’ work at EMFED Farms proves that women’s empowerment is not just a moral imperative—it is the catalyst for community transformation. By investing in women, Kwabena is sowing seeds of change that will bear fruit for generations.