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The Gold Fields Ghana Foundation has extended the Cocoa Farmers Support Programme to farmers in the host communities of the Tarkwa mine. This follows the success of the programme, which was initiated in Damang in 2018.
The Foundation re-launched the programme in Tarkwa in collaboration with the Ghana Cocoa Board and the Cocoa Farmers' Association. The programme will help boost yields, create employment and improve the income and livelihoods of cocoa farmers in Tarkwa and surrounding communities.
Five hundred cocoa farmers will be supported with essential farm inputs and equipment, such as seedlings, Cocobod-approved fertilisers, pesticides and mist blowers to aid in efficient application of agrochemicals. They will learn best farm practices and safety and receive dedicated extension services. The farmers will also have access to credit from the Promprom Credit Union, which was established by the Foundation to provide soft loans to community farmers and small business owners.
Dr Catherine Kuupol Kuutor, Manager of Tarkwa Mine, said Gold Fields was committed to supporting sustainable socio-economic development in host communities through investment in agriculture.
"This programme will deliver real impact as each farmer is expected to see 60% increase in cocoa production, with the ability to expand their farm size by 25%. This will improve household incomes and contribute to Ghana’s cocoa production and export."
Among the special guests who were present at the launch were Hon. Issah Salifu Taylor, MP for Tarkwa-Nsuaem and Nana Dr Adarkwa Bediako III, the Gyaasehene of Apinto Traditional Area. They lauded the initiative and urged the farmers to commit to the programme to fully benefit from it.
Mr Ato Boateng, Deputy CEO of Cocobod, said the institution was ready to support the farmers, noting that the Foundation's initiative was "in line with government's policy".
