A scene during the tour by the farmers
The 2022 National Best Cocoa Farmers have embarked on an educational tour of various cocoa processing facilities in Europe.
The tour, which serves as part of the awards package provided by Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) for the outstanding contributions of the farmers to the country’s cocoa industry is aimed at deepening their knowledge in the cocoa value chain.
The tour would also provide then an opportunity to gain insights into the roles played by different stakeholders within the global cocoa industry while strengthening their appreciation for their contribution to the entire cocoa value process.
They include three farmers who excelled in the 2021/2022 cocoa farming season; Bismark Fuachie, the 2022 National Best Cocoa Farmer; Joyce Dapaah, 2022 Most Enterprising Female Cocoa Farmer, and Peter Paintsil, who earned the title of 2022 Most Promising Young Cocoa Farmer.
The tour will take the farmers through some of the most advanced cocoa processing facilities owned by Cargill, CocoaSource, KOA, and others, in Switzerland and the Netherlands, witness the various stages of processing, from roasting and grinding to refining and packaging. While giving them opportunity to engage with industry experts and learn about the latest innovations in cocoa processing.
Bismark Fuachie, one of the beneficiaries said “We are excited about the tour and the knowledge we will gain to enrich our scope on cocoa farming as a business”.
According to COCOBOD, by understanding the entire value chain, from farm to finished product, the farmers are expected to return home with renewed inspiration and ideas to improve their farms, thereby contributing to the continued success of Ghana’s cocoa sector.