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Ghana is one of the world’s largest cocoa producers, but the country’s cocoa farmers face numerous challenges in their daily work. Many of these challenges are due to limited resources and lack of access to support.
One of the biggest challenges facing cocoa farmers in Ghana is low productivity. According to the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana, the average yield per hectare for cocoa farms in the country is just 450kg, compared to 1,500kg in other leading cocoa-producing countries. This is due to factors such as aging trees, pests and diseases, and limited access to fertilizer and other agricultural inputs.
Another major challenge facing cocoa farmers in Ghana is low prices. Despite the high demand for cocoa on the global market, farmers in Ghana often receive low prices for their crops. This is due to the dominance of foreign buyers and middlemen, who take advantage of the farmers’ lack of bargaining power and market information.
In addition to low productivity and low prices, cocoa farmers in Ghana also face challenges related to climate change. Rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall patterns, and increased incidence of pests and diseases are all affecting cocoa production in the country.
To address these challenges, the Ghanaian government and various international organizations are working to support cocoa farmers in the country. Initiatives such as the Cocoa Health and Extension Division, which provides training and technical assistance to farmers, and the Cocoa Abrabopa Association, which helps farmers access credit and marketing support, are helping to improve the livelihoods of cocoa farmers in Ghana.
Despite these efforts, much more needs to be done to ensure the sustainability of cocoa farming in Ghana and support the livelihoods of the farmers who rely on it.
Cocoa farmers in Jamulume, a farming community in the Kadjebi District in Oti Region, are lamenting over difficulties selling crops and obtaining necessary chemicals for farming.
Speaking in an interview with Agriwatchgh, Kabutey Osman, stated that local buyers often take their cocoa without paying, forcing some farmers to send their crops to neighbouring Togo where prices are higher, causing financial strain for the farmers, as they are not receiving payment for their crops on time.
In addition they stressed on difficulties in obtaining chemicals for farming is also proving to be a major issue. Osman reported that farmers are struggling to acquire the necessary chemicals to spray their cocoa, leading to reduced yields and low quality of the crop.
The difficulties faced by the cocoa farmers in Jamulume highlight the challenges faced by small-scale farmers in Ghana, and the need for support to ensure their livelihoods and the sustainability of cocoa farming in the country.
The situation according to the farmers has left many them feeling worried and frustrated as they struggle to make ends meet. Despite efforts by local authorities to address the challenges facing farmers, many feel that more needs to be done to support their livelihoods and ensure fair compensation for their hard work. They are however calling on the agricultural ministry and the government to come to their aid.
BY AGRIWATCH REPORTER
