Since its establishment in 2002, the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation has dedicated itself to fostering enterprise development within its host communities, investing upwards of US$6.9 million. This commitment includes a range of livelihood support initiatives, prominently featuring the Cocoa Farmers’ Support Programme.
Introduced in 2018 within the host communities of the Damang Mine, the Cocoa Farmers’ Support Programme was conceived to bolster farmers’ endeavours in acquiring essential inputs. To date, this program has benefited a cohort of 600 farmers.
Participants in the initiative have received COCOBOD-endorsed fertilizers, pesticides, and fungicides aimed at augmenting their cocoa yield. Furthermore, in 2021, the Foundation provided spraying machines to facilitate the application of agrochemicals among farmers.
Integral to the program’s success has been its collaborative framework, operating in partnership with key stakeholders such as the Cocoa Health and Extension Division, the Huni Valley Cocoa Farmers Association of Ghana, the Cocoa Coffee Shea Nut Farmers’ Association, and the Damang Mine Consultative Farmers Association (DMCFA).
Looking ahead to 2024, the Foundation has allocated over US$28,000 to further fortify the Cocoa Farmers’ Support Programme, benefiting 120 farmers. These individuals will receive COCOBOD-approved fertilizers, pesticides, and fungicides to optimize their cocoa production.
The introduction and ongoing support of the Cocoa Farmers Support programme serve as a testament to the potential for sustainable mining practices to harmonize with agriculture, even amplifying agricultural output in the process.
Success Story from Sintim Baaba, a farmer from Bompieso
My name is Baaba Sintim from Bompieso community and a beneficiary of the Cocoa Farmers’ Support Program. I have benefited from the programme for three consecutive years.
Before the programme, like many of my fellow farmers, I struggled to get farm inputs for my cocoa farm production; however, with the introduction of the Cocoa Farmers Support Programme, everything has changed. I used to harvest about 8 to 10 bags from my two-acre cocoa farm each season, just enough to sustain myself and my immediate family, but never enough to truly prosper.
For three consecutive years, I have received fertilizer, pesticides and fungicides from the programme. These farm inputs have been my allies, empowering me to nurture my cocoa trees like never before. With each application, I could see the difference in the health and vigour of my crops. I now proudly harvest around 18 to 20 bags of cocoa each season from the same farm. This significant increase has not only improved my standard of living but has also filled me with a newfound sense of pride and accomplishment.
Success story from Madam Esther Aggrey, from Bompieso
I am a beneficiary of the Cocoa Farmers Support Programme. My name is Esther Aggrey from Bompieso.
Not long ago, my cocoa farm was in big trouble. Diseases and pests were attacking my cocoa trees, and I felt sad watching my farm get worse every day. I could not afford to buy fungicides and pesticides to help my crops.
Fortunately, I was enrolled on the cocoa farmers’ support programme in 2022. It felt like my prayers were answered. From the moment I joined the programme, everything got better. No longer do I have to stand by helplessly as my farm suffered. With 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.
For the first time in a long while, I feel hopeful about my cocoa farm. Every season, my farm gets better and better. I am getting more cocoa than I ever thought possible. What used to be a hard struggle to keep my farm alive has turned into a journey of success and growth.
I am thankful for the Cocoa Farmers’ Support Programme. It didn’t just save my farm; it also gave me hope for the future.
Explore the world of impactful news with CitiNewsroom on WhatsApp!
Click on the link to join the Citi Newsroom channel for curated, meaningful stories tailored just for YOU: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCYzPRAYlUPudDDe53x
No spams, just the stories that truly matter! #StayInformed #CitiNewsroom #CNRDigital
