The 2022 National Best Cocoa Farmers have embarked on an educational tour across Europe, visiting various cocoa processing facilities. Organized by Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) as part of the awards package for their exceptional contributions to the cocoa industry, the tour aims to enhance their understanding of the global cocoa value chain.
This initiative is designed to give the farmers deeper insights into the roles played by different stakeholders within the global cocoa industry, further highlighting the importance of their contributions to the entire process.
The delegation comprises three distinguished farmers from the 2021/2022 cocoa farming season: Bismark Fuachie, the 2022 National Best Cocoa Farmer; Joyce Dapaah, recognized as the 2022 Most Enterprising Female Cocoa Farmer; and Peter Paintsil, who earned the title of 2022 Most Promising Young Cocoa Farmer.
During their tour, the farmers will visit some of the most advanced cocoa processing facilities in Switzerland and the Netherlands, including those operated by industry leaders such as Cargill, Cocoa Source, and KOA. They will observe firsthand the various stages of cocoa processing, from roasting and grinding to refining and packaging. Additionally, they will engage with industry experts to learn about the latest innovations in cocoa processing.
“We are excited about the tour and the knowledge we will gain to enrich our scope on cocoa farming as a business,” Bismark Fuachie commented.
By gaining a comprehensive understanding of the entire value chain, from farm to finished product, the farmers are expected to return to Ghana with renewed inspiration and innovative ideas to further enhance their farms, ultimately contributing to the sustained success of the country’s cocoa sector.
