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Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Community outreach motivates Timeabu farmers to appreciate the business of farming

Farmers at Timeabu are excited at opportunities to improve their levels of production and productivity, following a community outreach program spearheaded by the Centre for Climate Change and Food Security (CCCFS), a not-for-profit organization.
 
The predominantly cocoa production community in the Ejisu-Juabeng Municipality of Ashanti region has in years past experienced challenges in accessing information and farm inputs to enhance their cocoa operations.

“We don’t even know which district is responsible for the marketing of our cocoa produce,” lamented local chief farmer, Mohammed Haruna.

Other production challenges faced by the over 100 farmers include erratic supply of pesticides, access to improved seedlings, poor marketing systems and upholding best agronomic practices.

The community outreach event offered a platform for the farmers to get their challenges addressed whilst shaping other perceptions and practices that impede higher production.

CCCFS engaged cocoa and agricultural officers to sensitize and help address the concerns of the farmers – some of the farmers had instant solutions to their issues, whilst others received assurance of a short-term intervention.

A Senior Research Officer at the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Fuad Abubakar, encouraged the farmers to desist from over- reliance on government for support but invest in their farming as a business.

"Treat it as any business venture and give it the all attention it needs. Surely, it will pay you back," he emphasized.

Mr. Abubakar said the farmers can position themselves to reap higher returns if they see their venture as any private business entity.

Bekwai District Cocoa Officer, Abednagao Asante, commended CCCFS for the initiative and promised to make available requested inputs by the farmers.

He acknowledged his responsibility to help turn around the fortunes of the farmers.

The farmers, at the end of the session, expressed renewed hope to turn round their fortunes with increased production in the seasons ahead.

"We promise ourselves that this will be the time for us to make farming a real business. We also promise to get better organized, and budget our time and money better on farming," said one of the farmers.

The Timeabu community is also challenged with access to electricity and teachers to handle the only primary school in the area, a situation they appeal for government’s support.

A stream, serving as the main source of drinking water for the community, has also been polluted from upstream as a result of illegal mining activities.

Board Member of the Centre for Climate Change and Food Security, Kofi Adu Domfeh, cautioned the farmers against giving away their farmlands for artisanal mining purposes if they are to be financially and environmentally secured.

“Don’t be lured to sell your lands for galamsey,” he said. “Yes, you may reap the benefit now but the real consequences of the activities may stay for ages; our lands, trees and water bodies are under threat of extinction and we need to secure the future for the next generation.”

Mr. Domfeh shared his experience from other countries where farmer cooperatives thrive and enjoined the local farmers to join forces to get issues addressed collectively.

CCCFS has committed to take the community outreach program to other deprived farming communities in Ghana.

The Centre’s goal is to empower depressed farming economies to be among the resolution-makers determined to make a difference for improved livelihoods.
 
CCCFS has other uniquely designed programs to promote environmental and climate change awareness in schools, and promote farming as a lucrative venture for young people.

These include ‘Food for Africa’, which involves a group of agriculture enthusiasts across Africa and beyond sharing ideas on a common platform to promote food production.

The centre also runs the ‘Young Aspiring African Farmers’ initiative.

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