By Nana Yaw REUBEN
Cocoa Abrabopa Association (CAA), a farmer-based organisation, has paid GH¢11.5million in premiums to farmers across the country’s five cocoa-growing regions.
The cash premium – also known as the Sustainability Differential – forms part of activities under the Rainforest Alliance Certification Programme.
The Sustainability Differential is an additional mandatory cash earned by farmers on their produce for the 2023/2024 crop season that motivates them to adhere to the Rainforest Alliance sustainable farming practices and improve their living conditions.
In all, about 7,500 cocoa farmers from 39 cocoa operational areas benefitted from the programme. Each farmer was paid an additional GH¢65 per each bag of certified cocoa sold to CAA, compared to last year’s GH¢52.50 and total cash of GH¢9.2million.
Mode of payment
All the beneficiary farmers were paid via mobile money and did not have to travel to the association’s office in Kumasi.
The association earned a cash premium from the Rainforest Alliance Certification Programme because Abrabopa deployed several initiatives to help farmers increase their yields and promote environmental sustainability, as well as respecting Human Rights Due Diligence protocols, a statement from the Association said.
Success
Addressing a durbar of stakeholders at Tarkwa in the Western South Region, the Council Chairman for CAA, Ismaila Pomasi, said Cocoa Abrabopa in collaboration with its partners invested millions of cedis into sustainability programmes through the provision of infrastructural facilities and cash premiums.
He mentioned that the 2024 regional durbars were exceptional, as they were organised in operational areas – allowing a significant number of farmers to participate and ask all the questions they needed answers to.
“The durbar’s significance lies in providing a platform for farmers, the council and management to fraternise and share ideas on the strategic policies and programmes outlined to propel the association’s growth and development.
“Let me use this opportunity to remind you farmers to join the Cocoa Abrabopa Pension Scheme initiative – what we all call CAPS – because we are all growing older, and our only hope as members of this great Association is retiring with the ability to care for ourselves and our children,” he said.
Sustainability Manager for CAA, Wilfred Apiung, on his part, said the sustainability initiative has since its inception supported several developmental projects in the areas of education, water and sanitation in the 39 cocoa operational areas across the country.
“We at Abrabopa have also embarked on other sustainability programmes – such as afforestation, accessible soil and sustainable environment project, child labour monitoring projects and living income projects.
“I am urging you to take the shade-tree planting initiative very seriously, because we have observed that a lot of you don’t plant the trees distributed to you. And please bear in mind that shade-tree planting and monitoring is of one of environmental sustainability requirements we need to strictly comply with,” he urged.
Certification Manager-CAA, Mamud Addul-Rahman asked farmers to let the increase in premium payment motivate them to produce quality cocoa that meets the standards, help increase local sourcing and help them meet targets for their customers across the globe.
“The increase in premium payment for you, our farmers, is part of the Association’s vision and commitment toward developing thriving and resilient communities within our 39 operational areas,” he said.
Operations Manager for CAA, Ebenezer Agbozo, also admonished the farmers to let the increase in premium payment motivate them to produce quality cocoa that meets the standards, help increase local sourcing and contribute to the local economy.
“For us to increase local sourcing, CAA in collaboration with CHED will keep supporting you to practice hand-pollination and good agricultural practices (GAP).
“Our focus is on ensuring a better future for you and your children, and help eliminate child labour, forced labour, discrimination, workplace violence and harassment in cocoa-growing communities – the cocoa sector’s most salient human rights issues. We are determined to work closely with various cooperatives with all hands on deck to tackle them; hence the partnership,” he added.
Motivation and Support
For his part, Acting Executive Secretary and Chief Finance and Operations Manager for CAA, Patrick John Van Brakel, said this year’s durbars also served as an opportunity for members to verify the total volumes of certified beans delivered to the Association and sign their premium letters.
“Signing premium letters helps management pay premiums to farmers electronically and on time. We need good quality cocoa beans this year and our target is 18,000mt for the 23/24 crop season. Every one of you must work hard for us to achieve this together – and also remember to record every delivery in your passbook.
“We will continue to support you with initiatives such as traceability training, advanced farming techniques, pest and disease monitoring, and economic shade-tree provision,” he said.
Appreciation and future outlook
Farmers expressed their gratitude to Abrabopa for the significant improvements it has brought to their lives and work. They assured the organisation of their continued commitment to the Association and pledged to help achieve the 18,000mt target for the season.
The farmers called on management to continue engaging with COCOBOD on finding a solution to the menace of illegal mining, commonly known as ‘galamsey’, which they stated is threatening their livelihoods.
“As farmers, our livelihoods depend on the land; and we are urging you to discuss with COCOBOD immediately about how galamsay is destroying our future,” said Daniel Dadzie and Julian Mensah, cocoa farmers at Ningo-Benso in the Western South Region.
“Our fear is that some farmers may accept such juicy offers, and this will not bode well for the industry,” they pleaded.
The Association also used the opportunity to distribute high quality CRIG-approved agro-chemical inputs for farmers to augment COCOBOD’s inputs distribution exercise.
The 2024 durbar in Tarkwa concluded with a renewed commitment to overcoming challenges, achieving production targets and improving the livelihoods of cocoa farmers.
