Gold Fields Ghana Foundation Invests $28,000 to Support 120 Cocoa Farmers

The Gold Fields Ghana Foundation is investing over $28,000 to support 120 cocoa farmers in Ghana through its Cocoa Farmers Support Programme in 2024. The programme, launched in 2018, provides COCOBOD-approved fertilizers, pesticides, and fungicides to help farmers enhance their cocoa production.

Two beneficiaries of the programme, Baaba Sintim and Esther Aggrey, have seen significant increases in their cocoa yields after receiving support. Sintim's harvest increased from 8-10 bags to 18-20 bags per season, while Aggrey's harvest rose from 3-5 bags to over 12 bags. "I used to harvest between 8 to 10 bags of cocoa beans during the main crop season but after receiving support from Gold Fields, I now harvest between 18 to 20 bags," said Sintim.

The Cocoa Farmers Support Programme has assisted a total of 600 farmers since its inception, in partnership with various cocoa farmer associations and the Cocoa Health and Extension Division. The Gold Fields Ghana Foundation has invested over $6.9 million in enterprise development in its host communities, including this programme, since its founding in 2002.

Why this matters: The support provided by the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation is helping to improve the livelihoods of cocoa farmers and boost cocoa production in Ghana. As one of the world's largest cocoa producers, enhancing yields and supporting farmers is vital for Ghana's economy and the sustainability of the cocoa industry.

The Gold Fields Ghana Foundation remains committed to supporting enterprise development in its host communities. The success stories of farmers like Baaba Sintim and Esther Aggrey demonstrate the tangible impact of the Cocoa Farmers Support Programme in increasing cocoa yields and improving farmers' standard of living. The Foundation plans to continue partnering with cocoa farmer associations and the Cocoa Health and Extension Division to extend the programme's reach and benefits to more farmers in the coming years.

Key Takeaways

• Gold Fields Ghana Foundation investing $28K to support 120 cocoa farmers in 2024.
• Program provides fertilizers, pesticides, and fungicides to boost cocoa production.
• Beneficiaries saw significant yield increases, from 8-10 bags to 18-20 bags.
• Program has assisted 600 farmers since 2018, in partnership with farmer associations.
• Foundation invested $6.9M in enterprise development, aiming to support more farmers.