The Gold Fields Ghana Foundation has enrolled 105 additional cocoa farmers onto its Cocoa Farmers Support Programme, expanding the initiative to a total of 205 beneficiaries across its host communities. The newly enrolled farmers received fertilisers, fungicides, insecticides and other essential farm inputs to improve cocoa production and protect their crops. As part of the …
Gold Fields Foundation boosts cocoa productivity with expanded farmer support
The Gold Fields Ghana Foundation has enrolled 105 additional cocoa farmers onto its Cocoa Farmers Support Programme, expanding the initiative to a total of 205 beneficiaries across its host communities.
The newly enrolled farmers received fertilisers, fungicides, insecticides and other essential farm inputs to improve cocoa production and protect their crops.
As part of the programme, the farmers also underwent practical training in collaboration with the Cocoa Health and Extension Division. The training covered the safe and effective use of agrochemicals, integrated farm management practices, and disease and pest control to enhance productivity and promote sustainable farming.
The Cocoa Farmers Support Programme was first introduced in communities around the formerly operated Damang Mine, where it has helped increase cocoa yields and improve farmers’ access to critical agricultural inputs.
Following the programme’s success, the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation expanded the initiative to its Tarkwa host communities last year, bringing the total number of participating farmers to 205.
The Foundation said it has invested more than US$7.3 million in enterprise development and livelihood initiatives to date. These include the Community Oil Palm Project (COPP), Youth in Organic Horticulture Production (YouHoP), livestock rearing and other programmes aimed at strengthening local economic development.
