COCOBOD lauds Gold Fields Foundation for supporting cocoa farmers to increase yields

Mr. Boateng spoke at the launch of the Cocoa Farmers’ Support Programme in Tarkwa, Western Region.

He announced that the government will acquire 20,000 hectares for new cocoa plantations. This aims to increase cocoa output in Ghana.

“To date, we have distributed over 76,000 bags of chemicals,” he said. This distribution has reached over 5,000 farmers and 88 cooperatives.

“We believe COCOBOD and Gold Fields can improve outputs in the Western Region,” Mr. Boateng added. He expressed strong support for Gold Fields' initiatives with local farmers.

The Deputy CEO committed to providing logistical support, including labor and necessary chemicals. “We are ready to help turn around the situation in the Western Region,” he stated.

He mentioned that the President recently declared selling cocoa farms for illegal mining as unlawful. “Gold Fields shows that mining and cocoa farming can coexist,” he noted.

Dr. Catherine Kuupol Kuutor is the Tarkwa Mine Manager at Gold Fields Ghana Limited. She highlighted that agriculture is a key investment area for their Foundation.

Over the years, they have invested over $6.9 million in agriculture development projects. These include livestock production and various community programs like Cocoa Farmers Support Programme.

In 2018, they launched a cocoa support programme in Damang to boost livelihoods and rural economies. This program benefited 600 farmers over three years with essential agricultural inputs.

“This uninterrupted support allowed farmers to fully benefit from approved fertilizers and pesticides,” Dr. Kuutor explained. Due to its success, they are now replicating this initiative at Tarkwa.

The goal is to empower at least 300 cocoa farmers over five years through training and resources like seedlings and fertilizers.

Nana Dr. Darkwa Bediako III called on Gold Fields Ghana Foundation to invest more in reclaiming degraded lands for cocoa farming.

He believes rehabilitating farms damaged by illegal mining can improve incomes for affected communities significantly.

At the event, one hundred cocoa farmers received farming inputs such as fertilizers among other supplies.