Another batch of 120 cocoa farmers drawn from the host communities of Gold Fields Ghana have benefitted from the Foundation being run by the mining giants for the benefits of the people.
The farmers receive COCOBOD approved fertilizers, pesticides and fungicides to enhance their cocoa production estimated at $28,000.00
The 120 beneficiaries bring the number to over 600 cocoa farmers who have benefitted from the Foundation since its inception in 2018.
The Cocoa scheme has been executed in partnership with the Cocoa Health and Extension Service of COCOBOD, the Cocoa Coffee Sheanut Farmers Association and the Damang Mine Consultative Farmers Association (DMCFA).
The Goldfields Foundation has so far expended over $6.9 million in enterprise development in the host communities.
Cocoa scheme success story
Madam Esther Aggrey, a beneficiary of the scheme from Bompieso, recounted her success story at the event.
She told the gathering that pests attacked her cocoa trees “and I felt sad watching my farm get worse every day. I could not afford to buy fungicide and pesticides to help my crops”. Fortunately, she was enrolled onto the Cocoa Farmers’ support programme in 2022.
“It felt like my prayers had been answered. From the moment I joined the programme, everything got better. No longer do I have to standby helplessly as my farm suffered. With the support from the programme, I received pesticides, fungicides, and fertilizers to help me reclaim my cocoa farm from pests and diseases.
“I now harvest more than 12 bags of cocoa from my farm, as compared to the previous 3–5 bags I used to harvest”.
She continued, “Every season, my farm gets better and better. I am getting more cocoa than I ever thought. What used to be a hard struggle to keep my farm alive has turned into a journey of success and growth.
“I am grateful for the Cocoa Farmers’ Support Programme. It didn’t just save my farm; it has also given me hope for the future “.
The District Cocoa Chief Officer for Huni Valley District, Clement Sarpong, on his part, indicated that he was proud to acknowledge the invaluable support extended by the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation through its Cocoa Support Programme to the cocoa farmers.
COCOBOD, he said, has been monitoring the progress with great interest and was happy with the extent of support that the Foundation has provided.
He stated the provision of cocoa inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides and fungicides to our farmers by the Foundation had been instrumental in bolstering cocoa production within the district.
Additionally, the provision of machinery for spraying has also significantly improved efficiency and productivity among the farmers.
“I want to emphasise the positive impact that this support from the Foundation, in collaboration with COCOBOD, has had on the livelihoods of our farmers.
“Particularly, this year, with the increase in cocoa prices and the invaluable inputs provided by the Foundation, we anticipate a significant improvement in the livelihoods of our farmers”.
On behalf of the Huni Valley District and the cocoa farming community, he extended COCOBOD sincere appreciation to the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation for their proactive and impactful cocoa support programme.
The initiative, he indicated, was not only helping to enhance cocoa production, but is also contributing to the overall well-being and sustainability of agricultural sector.
