Cargill Ghana Ltd pays over GH C 600,000 as bonuses to 3,900 coacoa farmers

By Benjamin Xornam Glover, TEMA

Cargill Ghana Limited, a cocoa processing company in Tema has paid GH ¢604,288.00 in premiums to 3,900 Ghanaian cocoa farmers. In addition to the premium payment, each farmer received a set of personal protective materials including overalls, hats, gloves and wellington boots. The payment which is the second to be handed out by Cargill Ghana Limited covers the delivery of certified sustainable cocoa beans purchased during the 2012 -2013 cocoa season in Ghana. The gesture aims at motivating the cocoa farmers to continue adopting the best agricultural and environmental practices in their operations and thereby sustain the production of quality cocoa in the country. A cheque for the amount was handed over to Mr. David Kwabena Aidoo on behalf of the farmers at a ceremony in Tema. Present at the event were representatives of Akuafo Adamfo Cocoa Purchasing Company, Solidaridad West Africa, an organization that supports the sustainable development of farmers and production system, Representatives of Ghana Cocoa Board, and the Dutch Embassy. A portion of the premium paid have been set aside to provide funding for much needed infrastructure and social projects which are chosen by the cocoa farmers for the wider cocoa producing community Presentation Presenting the cheque during the ceremony, the Managing Director of Cargill Cocoa and Chocolate, Mr Philippe Huet said the premium payment is recognition of the hard work of the farmers and adopting more sustainable practices in their activities. He gave the assurance that Cargill will continue to work with its partners such as Cocoa Board, Akuafo Adamfo, a cocoa purchasing company in Ghana and Solidaridad West Africa, to ensure that cocoa farmers have the right support, education and tools to continue to build and develop a sustainable cocoa production system in Ghana. Mr Huet said by the close of the year 2016, Cargill hopes to train more than 20,000 farmers through its farmer training programmes with the hope of improving their productivity, bean quality and also enhance their livelihood. Akuafo Adamfo In his address, the Head of operations of Akuafo Adamfo Cocoa Purchasing Company, Mr Theophilus Agyare Asare said that partnership with Cargill Ghana Limited and Solidaridad West Africa cover a four year period and aims at taking farmers through training to help them produce cocoa beans in a sustainable way. The project is committed to assisting farmers to improve their income level by taking them through training for good agricultural and environmental practices so right farmers will produce sustainable cocoa and see their farming as a business rather than a way of life. He said the payment of the first premium in 2013 has boosted the morale of farmers and also encouraged other farmers who were hitherto not part of the scheme to desire to be part of the programme. “This shows the confidence farmers have in the project and the desire to be part of the successes story of the programme,” he said. The Managing Director of Quality Control Company Limited, a subsidiary of COCOBOD, Mr Thomas K. Osei commended cocoa farmers who did business with Cargill Ghana Limited and Akuafo Adamfo for strictly abiding by the principles of the international community by producing quality cocoa. He noted that even though there were mixed reactions from farmers when the cocoa certification was introduced, the farmers have come to appreciate its importance and are today reaping the benefits. He gave the assurance that COCOBOD will continue to collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure that cocoa products are produced strictly under sound and acceptable conditions. Mr. David Kwabena Aidoo on behalf of the beneficiary farmers expressed appreciation to Cargill Ghana Limited and indicated that the gesture will encourage them to work hard to improve on their farming business. Present at the ceremony was over 120 farmers from the cocoa producing areas. -END- Writer’s email: Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh