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Cocoa Farmers Urged to Adopt Regenerative Farming Practices

Crime November 11, 2026 0

The Rainforest Alliance has engaged sustainability managers and key stakeholders in discussions aimed at strengthening sustainable cocoa production, protecting forest landscapes and improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Ghana. The international non-profit organisation brought together representatives from the cocoa industry, forestry institutions, regulators and other partners in Accra for a stakeholder engagement meeting to discuss the future of sustainable cocoa farming and the implementation of responsible agricultural practices. The meeting provided a platform to update stakeholders on the organisation’s certification standards, progress across its various landscapes and emerging regional and international regulatory requirements. Participants were also taken through key regulations and frameworks, including the African Regional Standard (ARS), European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), Rainforest Alliance Certification and Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition (ECGT), to enhance compliance and promote responsible business practices in Ghana. Country Director of Rainforest Alliance Ghana, Nicholas Jengre, said the organisation’s mission is to create more sustainable communities by harnessing social and market forces to protect nature and improve the livelihoods of farmers and forest communities. He said the organisation is reviewing its certification standards based on feedback from partners, with the revised standards expected to be published in March 2027. Mr. Jengre explained that Rainforest Alliance has already put measures in place to support partners in complying with the EUDR, which seeks to prevent products linked to deforestation from entering the European Union market. He said the engagement is also intended to gather feedback from stakeholders and ensure that certification requirements translate into tangible benefits for farmers. Mr. Jengre stressed that stronger certification systems and compliance with international regulations are necessary to safeguard farmers' access to international markets. On farmers' income, he acknowledged that although the recent introduction of a legal framework for cocoa pricing by the Ghana Cocoa Board is encouraging, the current price structure might not be sufficient to close the living income gap. He called for cocoa prices to be pegged to hard currencies to protect farmers against fluctuations in the local currency. Mr. Jengre also encouraged farmers to adopt regenerative agricultural practices, including proper pruning, timely weeding and harvesting, to improve productivity and increase their earnings. Chairman of the Landscape Management Board (LMB) for the Sui River Landscape in the Western North Region, Brafi Isaac, said the board is working with communities to promote regenerative agriculture, forest restoration and sustainable local economies. He explained that the Sui River Landscape covers approximately 382,000 hectares, including five forest reserves, making it one of West Africa's important cocoa-growing areas. The engagement forms part of Rainforest Alliance's broader efforts to strengthen collaboration among industry stakeholders and promote sustainable agricultural practices that protect forests while improving the livelihoods of cocoa-growing communities. Story by: Nana Yaw Reuben

Backing Farmers to Lead: How FAO’s Forest and Farm Facility Turned Chemical-Free ambition into Organic reality at Asetenapa Co-operative

Business November 10, 2026 0

Suhum, Eastern Region – Asetenapa Co-operative Cocoa Farming and Marketing Union Limited is improving farmers' productivity and livelihoods through climate-smart agroforestry, organic farming and landscape restoration initiatives supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) programme. The farmer-led organisation, which operates across the Suhum and Ayensuano municipalities, has supported 15 farmer societies, with approximately 500 farmers adopting chemical-free farming practices over the past three years. Through funding from the FAO's Forest and Farm Facility, Agriterra, Fairtrade Africa and their strategic partner Tony’s Open Chain the cooperative has equipped its Rural Service Centres with ten power slashers and an auger to facilitate mechanised weeding and pruning, reducing the labour-intensive nature of cocoa farming while promoting environmentally sustainable production. The initiative has also encouraged youth participation in agriculture, with young farmers receiving training as climate stewards and using GPS technology for farm mapping. Women, on the other hand, have spearheaded a tree-planting initiative known as Tree-PET to promote landscape restoration and improve climate resilience. Productivity and Environmental Sustainability Lead for Asetenapa Co-operative Cocoa Farming and Marketing Union Limited, Dennis Attuah, said the project has significantly improved farming practices and encouraged young people to take greater interest in cocoa production. He explained that the introduction of mechanised equipment has made farming more attractive to the youth, while the cooperative's transition towards organic production is helping farmers reduce their dependence on synthetic chemicals. Mr. Attuah said the cooperative is also promoting dynamic agroforestry by encouraging farmers to cultivate fruit trees alongside cocoa to provide additional income during periods when cocoa production is low. He urged young people to embrace modern agricultural technologies, including mechanised weeding and drone applications, stressing that agriculture has evolved beyond traditional farming methods. Manager of the Union, Isaac Vefa, said the FFF programme had empowered farmers to participate more actively in decisions affecting their livelihoods. He noted that farmers are now able to engage local authorities and advocate policies addressing their concerns, including access to agricultural inputs, farming equipment and the integration of shade trees into cocoa farms. Mr. Vefa said the cooperative has also enrolled more than 400 farmers in its organic farming programme following a series of training and sustainable farm management interventions. This initiative not only enhances the quality of produce but also promotes environmental sustainability, ensuring that future generations of farmers can thrive in a more resilient agricultural ecosystem. By embracing these modern practices, the cooperative is setting a precedent for others in the region to follow. He expressed optimism that the cooperative would secure organic certification, which is expected to improve market access and attract better premiums for participating farmers. The programme has further strengthened women's economic participation through the establishment of a cassava processing factory at Abenabo, which provides opportunities for value addition and additional income generation. The facility also serves as a training centre for women in other income-generating activities. Asetenapa's first FFF grant laid the foundation for these interventions, with additional co-funding from Agriterra's Act Now project supporting the establishment of the cassava processing facility. The cooperative has also established a multi-purpose tree nursery targeting 16,000 timber, shade and fruit seedlings for 523 farmers across 1,088 farms, covering approximately 2,109 acres. The earlier phase has further facilitated partnerships with institutions, including COCOBOD's Cocoa Health and Extension Division (CHED), the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), and the Labour, Education and Social Welfare departments. For farmers, the interventions have provided practical solutions to some of the challenges associated with transitioning to organic cocoa production. An organic cocoa farmer at Trio Society, Zakari Nappien, said the training and provision of mechanised equipment has encouraged him to embrace chemical-free farming. He explained that although organic production initially presented challenges because of its labor-intensive nature, the introduction of pruning machines and power slashers has significantly eased farm maintenance. Mr. Nappien called for further investment in modern agricultural technologies, particularly drone applications, to attract more young people into cocoa farming. Another beneficiary, Tetteh Larwah, a farmer at Kwamekyere Society, has also benefited from the FAO-supported Dynamic Agroforestry intervention aimed at strengthening climate resilience and improving farm productivity. The cooperative is now working to complete the cassava processing facility to meet market requirements through improved sanitary facilities, food safety accreditation and branding. The FFF programme is expected to consolidate the cooperative's earlier investments while expanding opportunities for sustainable cocoa production, women's economic empowerment and youth participation in agriculture. The farmers are calling for sustained investment and collaboration to ensure the gains made through the project are maintained and expanded to benefit more farming communities. Story by: Nana Yaw Reuben

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Business November 10, 2026 0

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Cocoa Farmers Urged to Adopt Regenerative Farming Practices

Backing Farmers to Lead: How FAO’s Forest and Farm Facility Turned Chemical-Free ambition into Organic reality at Asetenapa Co-operative

GES to Sanction Teachers Over Techiman SHS Assault

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