Cocoa farmers in the Atiwa East District of the Eastern Region have expressed skepticism about the recent 45% increase in the producer price of cocoa, announced by the government for the 2024/2025 season.
Despite the government’s intention to curb smuggling and improve farmer welfare, the farmers argue that rising production costs and rampant illegal mining will diminish any positive impact of the price hike.
Smallholder cocoa farmers are grappling with high expenses for farm inputs, labor, and transportation.
Stephen, a small holder cocoa farmer, explained, “The price of the cocoa is not satisfactory. Cocoa farming is very difficult. The cost of production, labor, and even agrochemicals are expensive. So if you don’t hire laborers and work alone, you will even die early.”
Similarly, Patricia Dwamena, a smallholder cocoa farmer, passionately expressed her concerns about how the price increment is not enough to offset the soaring cost of living.
“The price increment of cocoa amidst soaring costs of living and goods does not make us feel the impact. At a time, even a bag of cocoa couldn’t buy a bag of rice or cooking oil. We labor throughout the year and after that, we can’t even break even to buy a bag of rice to eat,or cement to build. That is not fair,” she lamented.
The devastating effects of illegal mining, known as galamsey, have compounded the farmers’ challenges.
During a forum organized by the Eastern Regional Directorate of the Inter-Party Affairs and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), farmers raised concerns about how illegal mining activities have polluted rivers and destroyed roads, making farming and transporting cocoa even more difficult.
Patricia Dwamena lamented the destructive role of illegal mining in the district , stating, “The illegal mining is destroying the cocoa sector, but I blame those in government. They give licenses to the miners to invade our cocoa farms. Even if you don’t want to sell your farm, they will take over by force. The illegal miners have even destroyed roads to our farms, making carting cocoa expensiveexpensive. Go to Anyinam, in front of the police station there is a river there. Chanfai machine is on the river working while the police look on unconcerned. The police commander doesn’t care. Now when going to far you have to carry water from your house to the farm for spraying because they have polluted the water. The illegal miners have even destroyed roads to our farms hence carting cocoa has become expensive” said Patricia Dwamena
Another farmer, Seke Bismark, organizer for the Nanapa Cooperative, added, “The river that we depended on for our farms has been destroyed by illegal miners. Another issue is the agrochemicals. By the time they reach our community, only three boxes are left, while others have stolen the rest. I have eight hectares of cocoa, but I haven’t had even three bottles of chemicals to spray my farm.”
In response, representatives from the NDC’s Inter Party Affairs and CSOs Organization promised to restore free fertilizers and farm inputs, increase farmgate prices further, and address illegal mining if voted into power.
They also encouraged farmers to form cooperatives to maximize the benefits of government policies aimed at supporting the cocoa sector.
The party pledged to take decisive action to save cocoa farms and arable land from the ongoing illegal mining activities.
Members of the Regional NDC’s Inter party Affairs and CSOs Organization included Kwaku Boateng, Regional Director, Abdul Rasha, Dep. Director, David Siaw Frimpong Isaac Senior Damptey, Evans Srenyame and Alex Opoku Agyemang all Executive members.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Kojo Ansah
