Farmers rewarded with bonuses for producing UTZ certified cocoa

Cocoa farmers in parts of the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions have received cocoa certification bonuses and other incentives from Noble Resources and Ferrero.

Members of the Ahafo Ano North and South UTZ Cocoa Farmers Association (AHANSUCOFA) received bonuses for complying with UTZ Certification code of conduct for cocoa.

Noble Resources paid Gh¢322,560 ($148,816) for 1400 metric tonnes of exportable certified beans sold through Federated Commodities, a licenced cocoa buying company.

The farmers, after undergoing training in UTZ certification requirements through Solidaridad, produced 3337.4 metric tonnes (53.398 bags) of UTZ certified cocoa beans delivered to the company from 3223 farmers.

Noble Resources and Ferrero – a major chocolate manufacturer – have been funding the training of AHANSUCOFA farmers in UTZ certification and the implementation of internal control system towards achieving cocoa sustainability and improved livelihoods for the farmers.

The World Cocoa Foundation and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have also given support for the livelihoods, gender and food security components of the project.

Both Noble Resources and Ferrero have emphasised commitment to sourcing sustainably produced cocoa devoid of child labour, unapproved chemical usage and deforestation.

Solidaridad uses cocoa certification training to support sustainability and improved livelihoods as it demands cocoa farmers to comply with social, environmental and economic requirements in line with the UTZ code of conduct, for improved productivity and income, environmental protection, best labour practices including prevention of child labour in exchange for a premium price on the produce.

According to Isaac Gyamfi, Managing Director, Solidaridard West Africa, “to enhance their livelihoods, AHANSUCOFA farmers established a cocoa nursery project in 36 communities that has produced 299,500 improved seedlings for replanting.  It has also produced 26,040 shade trees planted to promote reforestation.”

A total of 340 members of the association were trained as Spray Service Providers to spray members’ farms for pest and disease control, providing complimentary services to the government’s mass spraying initiative.

The farmers are also trained in business management skills, quality control to help them manage their incomes and monitor profitability. They also receive gender training to increase female participation in cocoa production to promote gender equality and development.

Solidaridad West Africa initiated AHANSUCOFA in 2009 as a pilot project of its Cocoa Improvement Programme with support from the Dutch Sustainable Trade Initiative looking at how a farmer association can be a certificate holder of the UTZ Certification code of conduct.

The project started with 300 farmers in 10 communities in Ahafo Ano North and South districts. Currently, it has a total membership of 5,002 in 155 communities in Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions.

Story by Kofi Adu Domfeh