Afarinick Company Limited (ACL) has distributed over 400,000 improved cocoa seedlings free of charge to farmers in Ghana's Volta Region. This major intervention aims to accelerate cocoa cultivation and improve farmer livelihoods.
The large-scale seedling distribution occurred at Afarinick’s flagship cocoa project in Kpando. The project features a 2,000-acre Sustainable Commercial Cocoa Plantation, Ghana's largest. This effort positions the Volta Region as a future key cocoa production area for the country.
Ghana's cocoa sector remains a cornerstone of the national economy. The government has consistently sought ways to increase production and farmer income. Initiatives like Afarinick’s complement broader national strategies, including COCOBOD's efforts to provide quality planting materials. Data from the Ghana Statistical Service indicates agriculture contributes significantly to Ghana's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Such private sector investments directly impact these national economic indicators.
Davida Pappoe, Programmes Manager of Afarinick Company Limited, explained the initiative. She stated it forms part of the company's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitment. This commitment supports farming communities and contributes to the sustainable growth of Ghana's cocoa sector.
This intervention will likely increase cocoa acreage and boost overall national production. Farmers, now with access to improved, disease-tolerant seedlings, can expect higher yields. This could lead to increased farmer incomes and rural economic development in the Volta Region. The success of this large-scale private sector effort may also encourage similar investments in other agricultural sub-sectors.
The improved cocoa varieties are designed for higher yields and better disease tolerance. They also offer greater resilience to changing climatic conditions. Farmers from various districts received seedlings to establish new farms and rehabilitate existing ones. The seedlings were produced at Afarinick’s state-of-the-art nursery in Kpando. This nursery has the capacity to produce over 2 million improved cocoa seedlings annually. This facility helps meet the growing demand for high-quality cocoa planting materials nationwide. The Seed Production Division (SPD) of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) supplied the improved cocoa pods used for these seedlings. This collaboration underscores a strategic partnership between private industry and state institutions.
Several Members of Parliament attended the distribution event. Hon. Sebastian Fred Deh, MP for Kpando Constituency, described the intervention as transformative. He noted it would empower farmers and contribute significantly to the Volta Region’s economic development. Hon. Thomas Worlanyo Tsekpo, MP for Hohoe Constituency, and Hon. Jean-Marie Formadi, MP for Biakoye Constituency, also reaffirmed support for cocoa expansion. They stressed cocoa farming's potential to create jobs and stimulate rural growth. The 2,000-acre plantation showcases modern irrigation systems and climate-smart agricultural practices. It serves as a model for sustainable cocoa production across the country. This project, combined with the nursery, promises to play a critical role in expanding cocoa cultivation. It also improves access to quality planting materials for farmers across Ghana.