He noted that farmers aligned to FEDCO have had their farms registered and details of all activities documented on the data base of Ghana Cocobod.

This, he noted gives Cocobod access to all records and information of FEDCO members and partners including their farm size, farm-hands, acreage of yields and other important details of farmer operations.

Speaking at the 25th anniversary celebration and award ceremony for its farmers in Kumasi last Friday, Dr Opoku said FEDCO has continuously aligned itself to best practices in the LBC business and this, he noted makes it an outstanding brand in the cocoa industry.

MANAGING DIRECTOR:
Addressing farmers, chiefs and other stakeholders, Hajia Maria Adamu-Zibo, Managing Director of FEDCO said since 1996 when it was founded by her dad, Dr Alhaji Adamu Iddrisu the company had distinguished itself as a major LBC by buying 16, 907 metric tonnes of cocoa.

This feat, she noted has been achieved without using cocobod funds.

Praising Mr Yaw Kyei, a predecessor MD for laying solid structures for the company, Hajia said it was not surprising FEDCO had its certificate a year after its set up from Cocobod.

Hajia Adamu-Zibo intimated that FEDCO stands committed to running a sustainable programme which will give incentives to farmers so that the latter can adopt environmentally friendly practices through training to improve outcomes for themselves and their communities.

CHIEFS:
Nana Agyenim Boateng, Amoamanhene and Chairman of the 25th anniversary commended FEDCO for creating a viable company where it has created job avenues for farmers including the youth and enabling them to earn incomes.

He urged the 170 award recipients and farmers to be energised by the recognition from FEDCO and work to improve their operations.

On his part, Nana Osei Kofi Abiri, Chief of Kenyase-Number 1 and representative of the Asantehene said FEDCOs impact has been felt in the country especially Asanteman.

Apart from improving the livelihoods of farmers who are associated with them, it had created opportunity for the country to grow the industry.

AWARDS:
FEDCO during the ceremony gave awards to 170 farmers and stakeholders including 19 District officers and 59 purchasing clerks.

39 driving staff were also given various forms of awards.

Items given out included were knapsack sprayers, pruners, motor bikes, tricycles, refrigerators and television sets.

By Michael Ofosu-Afriyie

It was given to them by for the 2021/2022 crop season.

The money, paid as premium to the farmers comes as an additional amount earned on their produce to motivate and encourage them to stay on the sustainability programme of the company.

This year, the farmers earned an amount of 40 per a bag of cocoa.

Fedco in a bid to promote sustainable agriculture has deployed several initiatives to help farmers increase their yields, promote environmental sustainability and as well help get rid of child labour and other negative farming practices.

The move forms part of the company’s corporate social responsibility to the sector. Speaking at the official premium announcement on certified cocoa in the district, the Head of Sustainability at FEDCO, Mr Nuruddin Essilfie mentioned that the FEDCO’S sustainability programme since its inception in 2012 has supported several developmental projects in the areas of education, water and sanitation in various communities they operate.

“We at FEDCO have also embarked on other sustainability programmes such as Afforestation, Accessible Soil and Sustainable Environment Project, Child Labour Monitoring Projects and Tricycle projects. Women participation on the programme has also grown from 18% from 2012 to 37% in 2022, an increase we see as encouraging”, her said.

Touching on the menace of illegal mining on the cocoa industry, Mr Essilfie said, “the situation is worrying.

There is not much we can do than to support government in the anti-galamsay fight”. “I think a lot more efforts need to be put in address the problem before it gets out of hand”, he said.

According to Mr Essilfie claims that, some cocoa farmers are leasing their farms to illegal miners should be of great concern to the government.

The Managing Director of FEDCO, Mrs Maria Adamu-Zibo in a speech read for her said FEDCO in collaboration with its partners have since 2012 invested $11 million in communities who are under the Sustainability Programme through the provision of infrastructural facilities and cash premiums. She indicated that, $2.1 million out of the initial amount was apportioned to Asankragwa.

This amount went into projects including 23 boreholes, three classroom blocks with computer laboratories and libraries as well as four facilities in the Asankragwa enclave.

According to her, FEDCO and its partners have so far built 102 boreholes, 8 classroom blocks with computer labs and libraries, one community center, 9 toilet facilities in addition to GHS42.0million cash premium payments nationwide.

Mrs Adamu-Zibo therefore called on the farmers to continue with the good agricultural practices they have cultivated over the years and do their best to protect the soils from land degradation.

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