240 cocoa farmers, selected from the host communities of Gold Fields Ghana Limited, Damang mine, have received Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) approved fertilisers and pesticides at a cost of $20,000 to enhance cocoa production.
This brings to 600 the total number of cocoa farmers who have benefitted from the Gold Fields Cocoa Support Scheme since its introduction in 2018. The programme is implemented in collaboration with the Hunni-Valley Cocoa Framers Association and Damang Mine Consultative Framers Association (DMCFA).
The aim of the intervention is to help create and sustain employment in the area of cocoa production, and boost annual cocoa production in the host communities by 10% in three years.
Since its inception, a total of 600 farmers, of which 68.8% and 31.2% are males and females respectively, have benefitted.
The Regional Manager, Community Affairs, Robert Siaw, who welcoming the farmers to the programme, mentioned that the Foundation had, so far, invested $6.8 million in the agricultural sector.
This, he noted, had gone into programmes like Youth in Organic Horticulture Production, Livestock Rearing, Oil Palm Plantation Programme, and Fish Farming amongst others.
He told the gathering that “we are very much encouraged and happy that some of the farmers have taken up the challenge to succeed, no matter how hard it is, and we are seeing very remarkable results of the programme.
We wish to encourage the youth to take up cocoa farming and other Gold Fields initiative very seriously.”
The Regional Community Affairs Manger indicated that Gold Fields was aware and mindful that mining operations would eventually cease once the resources were depleted or were no longer economically viable.
He noted that since the Foundation’s funding had been tied to the fortunes of the mining operations, it would eventually fold up as well.
Mindful of this, he said the Foundation had started putting 5% of the contribution into a separate investment instrument, the Legacy Account, to be used by communities for social development only after the lives of the mines had expired.
“We are very hopeful that this gesture will continue to motivate the farmers to continue to work hard for the success of the programme, improve their incomes for the benefits of their families, community and the country.”
The Executive Secretary of the Foundation, Abdel Razak Yakubu, mentioned that each beneficiary farmer would receive Physical Protective Equipment (PPEs), mix blower fertilisers, and agro chemicals for three consecutive years before exiting the programme for another batch to take over.
He disclosed that the average cocoa farm, prior to the intervention, yielded between 10 to 12 bags of cocoa beans annually. However, after three years of constant supply and application of fertilisers, the same acres were producing more than 16 bags, an increase of more than 3.3%.
On average, the beneficiary, according to the Foundation Secretary, reported a 7% increase in their annual income.
Present at the ceremony were the Executive Director of Cocoa Health and Extension Division (CHED), Rev. Edwin Afari, Dr. Kwame Owusu Ansah, Deputy Executive Director, CHED, Fiifi Boafo, Public Affairs Manager, COCOBOD, and other guests including traditional leaders.
