Mr Siaw (R) presenting an input to one of the farmers
The Gold Fields Ghana Foundation has enrolled 105 new cocoa farmers onto its Cocoa Farmers Support Programme for farmers in communities within the Tarkwa mine catchment area.
Under the initiative, farmers receive approved cocoa production inputs over three production cycles.
The new framers, selected this year are from Awudua, Huniso, Pepesa, Tebe and Samahu, all in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality. They join 100 others who were enrolled under the programme in 2025.
This means that the support programme has been expanded to cover a total of 205 cocoa farmers in communities within the Tarkwa catchment area.
The beneficiaries, received production inputs and technical support aimed at improving yields and promoting sustainable farming practices.
For the 2026 farming season, each beneficiary received support for a four-acre cocoa farm. The support included five units of insecticides, 12 bags of fertilizer and 24 units of fungicides.
Speaking at the launch, Sustainability Manager of Gold Fields Ghana, Robert Siaw, noted that the Foundation considers agriculture a key pillar of its development agenda and has invested more than $7.30 million in enterprise development initiatives.
He mentioned the initiatives as the Community Oil Palm Project (COPP), Youth in Organic Horticulture Production (YouHoP), livestock development programmes and the cocoa support programme.
He noted that the cocoa support programme forms part of the Foundation’s broader agricultural development strategy aimed at increasing productivity and creating sustainable income opportunities for farmers in its host communities.
He added that beneficiaries would receive practical training and extension support through a partnership with the Cocoa Health and Extension Division (CHED) of COCOBOD to ensure the effective use of the inputs provided.
“We believe that when farmers have access to quality inputs, technical knowledge and extension services, they are better positioned to improve productivity and enhance their livelihoods,” he said.
Deputy Executive Director of the Cocoa Health and Extension Division of COCOBOD, Abdul-Majid Mumuni, commended the Foundation for its continued support to cocoa farmers.
He said the provision of inputs would help improve yields and increase production among beneficiary farmers.
He disclosed that the government and COCOBOD are pursuing measures to protect cocoa-growing areas, including plans to strengthen sanctions against illegal activities that destroy cocoa farms.
The Western South Regional Manager of COCOBOD, Samuel Essuman, pointed out that illegal mining or ‘galamsey’ is a biggest challenge currently confronting the cocoa industry.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Samahu