Rainforest Alliance, an international non-government organisation (NGO), through its mobilised Resilient Fund has presented start up-kits to more than 50 individual farmers and five Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA) groups in the Western North Region.
The farmers and VSLA groups are in the Bibiani -Anhwiaso -Bekwai, Wiawso Municipalities and the Akontombra and Bodi Districts.
The support is part of efforts to promote economic resilience among coca farmers in the face of challenging climatic conditions as well as to secure improved livelihoods for cocoa farmers and increase tree cover in the forest zone.
The $65,000 support includes the provision of beehives, baking ovens and flour, gas cylinders, vegetable seeds, Knapsack sprayers and other items to enhance income generation.
Mr. Kelvin Nartey, Senior Associate, Landscape and Communities, at the Rainforest Alliance said, the initiative was to improve farmers’ income and discourage activities that harmed the forest.
“The presentation is to help provide additional livelihood support for cocoa farmers to improve their income and protect the forest for future generations,” he added.
Mr Nartey said the beneficiary farmers and other farmers would continue to receive coaching and training support from the Rainforest Alliance through the LandRise project which is funded by the Coca Cola Foundation
Mr. Isaac Brafi, Landscape Management Board Chairman, who received the items on behalf of the beneficiaries lauded Rainforest Alliance for the training and support.
He said:” These will help them generate additional income to support their families, which I believe will motivate them to help protect the forest.”
