COCOA FARMERS CALL ON KOA TO EXTEND SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE

Date: 02nd December 2024

A group of National Best Cocoa Farmers has called on the management of KOA Impact at Akim Achiase to expand its sustainability program, currently implemented in Assin Akrofuom and Akim Achiase catchment areas, to other cocoa-growing.

Speaking on behalf of cocoa farmers during a facility tour at Akim Achiase in the Eastern Region, Nana Kwadwo Amoako, the 2021 National Best Cocoa Farmer, commended KOA for its innovative initiative aimed at providing additional income streams for cocoa farmers. He urged the company to consider implementing pilot projects on the farms of the best national cocoa farmers, particularly those with exemplary annual production records, to serve as models for the wider farming community.

“We the best farmers undoubtedly have proven records of producing more cocoa every year and that means you can get more cocoa juices from our cocoa even from just one farm if you decide to bring your moving van or set up to our regions”, he indicated.

The delegation leader, Mr. David Oduro Asare, encouraged KOA’s management to consider funding the construction of fermentation facilities in communities where the company operates to support farmers in fermenting the beans after extraction.

‘From the look of things there is the likelihood of the farmers forgoing the prescribed fermentation processes since the beans appear conspicuously clean after the extraction so, I think KOA must lead in educating farmers and supporting them to observe the fermentation processes taught them by COCOBOD’, he said.  

Addressing the sentiments raised by the delegation, Mr. Daniel Otu, Director of Operations and Production at KOA, emphasized the company’s commitment to fostering strong partnerships with cocoa farmers. He stated that KOA is open to discussions with farmers to identify potential areas of collaboration, ensuring the company’s initiatives remain relevant to the needs of cocoa farmers and their communities.

‘Research precedes whatever we do. This is because it is only through research that we can make realistic decisions. Our factories are built to enjoy continuity of operations so any finding that indicates a potential threat to the lifespan of our factory will be taken keenly into consideration when we are deciding to set up our factories anywhere’, he explained. 

Mr. Otu said Koa pays an average of Ghc4,500 for every tonne of cocoa to their farmers. According to him, the company has budgeted Ghc14 million for this year’s pulp/juice purchases and hopes farmers will take advantage of that decision.  

“What KOA does is to constantly take our farmers through the good agronomic practices with an emphasis on good fermentation to guarantee beans quality”, he disclosed.

Nana Asiedu Samuel, one of KOA’s over 12,000 partner farmers whose farm the delegation visited at Yaw Nkran near Achiase, expressed his excitement about the company’s support. He highlighted how the additional income provided by KOA has been instrumental in covering essential farming activities such as weeding, pod breaking, and other routine operations, significantly easing the burden on farmers.

“We are proud to be part of this project because we get extra income while drying our beans. After the juice has been extracted, we take the beans back to ferment them through the processes we already have” he explained.

The Swiss-Ghanaian company entered the Ghanaian market in 2017 with a mission to empower communities in West Africa through innovative food solutions. Starting its operations in Akrofuom in the Central Region, the company recently expanded its footprint with the establishment of a $10 million factory at Akim Achiase. Looking ahead, the company plans to manufacture biochar from cocoa husks, a sustainable initiative aimed at enhancing cocoa production.