The programme initiated in Damang in 2018, supported 600 farmers for three years, resulting in a 77 per cent increase in average cocoa yields among the beneficiary farmers.
Speaking at the launch, Dr Catherine Kuupol Kuutor, the Manager of Gold Fields Tarkwa Mine, stated that, with focus on agriculture, the GFGF had invested more than US$6.9 million to support the sector’s growth.
According to her, the support programme led to considerable income growth among cocoa farmers, with some seeing an increase of up to 40 per cent.
The achievement, she noted, demonstrated that mining and farming coexisted effectively, underscoring the Foundation’s dedication to host community sustainability.
She said key initiatives include livestock production, Community Oil Palm Project (COPP), Youth in Organic Horticulture Production (YouHop) and Cocoa Farmers Support Programme.
Dr Kuutor said although cocoa was a major cash crop for Ghana’s economy and generates over US$2 billion annually and supports over one million farmers, the sector faced significant challenges, including limited access to inputs, pest outbreaks, and labour shortage.
She stressed that as part of efforts to address the challenges in the cocoa sector, the GFGF introduced the support programme some years back.
The Manager stated that Pepesa and Huniso communities, in the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipal, depended heavily on cocoa farming for income but had issues with low production levels.
“A baseline assessment conducted in Tarkwa communities revealed an average yield of 2.2 bags per acre, far below the recommended eight bags per acre. The study also identified pervasive challenges in input access, pest management, finance, and labour,” Dr Kuutor said.
According to her, the cocoa farmers’ support programme would bridge the gaps by providing inputs, facilitating credit access through the Promprom Credit Union and receive training on climate-resilient farming.
She further said integration of safety training into the programme was encouraging, and that combining safety training with best practices, farmers could optimize yields, while minimizing risks.
Mr Issah Salifu Taylor, the Member of Parliament for the Tarkwa Nsuaem Constituency, added that Gold Fields’ commitment to putting people first in their development initiatives was truly commendable.
He, therefore, pledged to work closely with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Ghana Cocoa Board and Gold Fields to ensure the sustainability of the programme.
Nana Adarkwa Bediako III, Apinto Gyaasehene, who chaired the function, appealed to Gold Fields, to reclaim lands near their operations areas for use in cocoa farming as part of their social responsibility they should
Mr Yaw Bedu, a coco farmer from Huniso, also advised farmers who would be selected to take full advantage of the programme by working hard to achieve optimum results.
At the end of the Tarkwa support programme, the GFGF aims to support 300 cocoa farmers over five years with essential inputs like fertilizers, pesticides, and seedlings.
Also, they would receive training on best practices and agroforestry, plus seedlings for farm expansion and sustainability.
The initiative is targeting significant yield increases, farm growth, improved income, enhanced farmer capabilities, and environmentally friendly practices.
GNA
