BISMARK FUACHIE ADJUDGED 2022 NATIONAL BEST COCOA FARMER

Date: 02nd December 2022

Mr Bismark Fuachie from Sefwi Asafo in the Western North Region has emerged as the 2022 National Best Cocoa Farmer.

The 45-year-old Senior High School graduate who also holds a certificate from a farmer business school was presented with the prestigious award by Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) at the grand durbar for the 38th edition of the Farmers' Day Celebration held at the Jubilee Park in Koforidua, the Eastern Regional Capital on Friday, 2nd December 2020.

He has a total farm size of 88 hectares located at Asafo in the Boako District of the Western North Region. At an impressive 3,258.89kg per hectare cocoa production rate, his total yield for the year under review amounted to 286,782.32kg.

In 2015, Mr Fuachie was declared the Western North Regional Most Promising Young Cocoa Farmer. He became the District Best Farmer in Sefwi Wiawso in 2016 and then picked up two awards in 2018 as the Regional Best Livestock and Cocoa farmer.

For his prize as the 2022 National Best Cocoa Farmer, Mr Bismark Fuachie was presented with a double-cabin Toyota Hilux pick-up vehicle, a dual-purpose motorized slasher/pruner, a motorized spraying machine and two sets of protective clothing (overalls, wellington boots, safety goggles, respirators, hats and gloves).

In addition, he took home cartons of assorted cocoa and chocolate products, carbolic soaps and a crystal plaque.

Receiving his prizes, Mr Fuachie, who was visibly joyful, expressed gratitude for the national recognition and award. He said it was a dream come true after many years of hard work cultivating cocoa, food crops and rearing animals. He added that he would continue to farm as long as he has strength and will also invite the youth to pursue farming and agribusiness.

Prizes were also presented to 54-year-old, Madam Joyce Dapaah, the National Most Enterprising Female Cocoa Farmer and Mr Peter Paintsil (39), the National Most Promising Young Cocoa Farmer.

Madam Dapaah has a 28.76-hectare hybrid cocoa farm at Asaman in the Ainyinase District of the Western South Region, while Mr Paintsil owns four (4) farms with a total size of 18.80 hectares, all located at Atwereboanda in Tarkwa District of the Western South Region.

They were each presented with a single cabin mini truck, a dual-purpose motorized slasher/pruner, a motorized spraying machine, protective clothing (overalls, safety goggles, respirators, hats), assorted cocoa and chocolate products, carbolic soaps and a crystal plaque.

Similarly, Madam Baby Akatusi, a 63-year-old active shea picker from Arigu, a farming community in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region of Ghana received prizes for becoming the 2022 National Best Shea Nut Picker. She received a Tricycle, Protective clothing (Overalls, Safety Goggles, Respirators, etc), cartons of assorted cocoa and chocolate products, a carton of carbolic soaps and a crystal plaque.

Thirty-six (36) other award winners at the regional level, consisting of ten (10) Regional Best Cocoa Farmers, ten (10) Regional Most Enterprising Female Cocoa Farmers, ten (10) Regional Most Promising Young Cocoa Farmers, one (1) Regional Best Coffee farmer and five (5) Regional Best Shea Nut Pickers have also received prizes.

At the District level, 70 cocoa farmers have been awarded in different categories, 2 people have been awarded for emerging as the best coffee farmers and 55 others were recognised as best Shea Nut Pickers.