Asetenapa Co-operative Cocoa Farming and Marketing Union Limited has held its 6th Annual General Meeting (AGM), calling for expansion of its operations and improved management of cocoa farms to ensure higher yields and sustainability.
The AGM which was held in Nankese, a cocoa growing community in the Eastern Region was under the theme “From Dreams to Reality: Protecting What Matters.”
The Sixth Annual General Meeting brought together over 60 cocoa farmers and partners within the cocoa value chain.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Mark Ayivor, President of Asetenapa Co-operative Cocoa Farming and Marketing Union Limited, said with cocoa prices below expectations, the best solution was to expand operations and equip farmers with improved practices to boost yields and offset the shortfall.
He said they were reminded of their duty to protect what truly matters; their values, their unity, their environment, and their livelihoods that sustained their families.
The President of the Union said protecting these ensured that the dream of Asetenapa would not only live today but would thrive for generations to come.
“Our theme for this year speaks to the very heart of Asetenapa’s story. We began as a dream; farmers coming together to build a union that would empower our communities, uplift women and youth, and create lasting opportunities for all,” he added.
Mr. Ayivor said from what the Union witnessed, it exceeded their expectations and had strengthened their belief that the Union had a promising future.
He stressed that COCOBOD and their international partners could expect Asetenapa to strategically position itself to increase cocoa production for export.
Mr. Kennedy Kontor, Director of Nankese Cocoa Health and Extension Division, COCOBOD, said on several occasions, farmers appeared to be discouraged by the recent price announcement.
He said however, it was important to continue encouraging those who may be on the verge of giving up, while also promoting more sustainable approaches to improving yields.
Mr. Kontor said by increasing yields, farmers were better positioned to break even and enhance the profitability of their ventures.
He said ultimately, their focus was on developing strategies that would make the cocoa sector more sustainable, viable, and beneficial for all stakeholders.
Mr. Kontor said several strategies which could be employed to improve farmers’ yields and overall productivity included the timely implementation of cultural practices such as weeding and pruning, as well as the effective use of poultry manure, which remained undervalued in Ghana.
“In addition, leveraging artificial pollination by educating farmers to identify the male and female parts of the cocoa plant and assisting in the transfer of pollen grains can significantly enhance productivity,” he added.
Mr. Winston Wotse, Data and Traceability Officer, Tony’s Open Chain, Ghana, said as a stakeholder in the cocoa supply chain, their priority was impact, where they carefully selected cocoa producing partners and collaborated with them to create a positive effect on their lives while working to improve their living standards.
He said with Asetenapa, they had established a strong partnership through which they addressed critical issues such as child labour.
“We actively monitor and track children, recognising the challenges the cocoa industry has faced in this area, and work to provide remediation by tackling the root causes of child labour,” he added.
He said they also place strong emphasis on productivity, as they believed that cocoa farmers deserved better livelihoods for providing such a valuable product, hence supporting them to increase yields on their farms, which in turn enhances their market opportunities.
“Looking ahead, we envision growth on both fronts, with Asetenapa’s expansion focusing on enrolling more farmers into the cooperative,” Mr. Wotse added.