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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