Bono region: The Cashew Watch Ghana (CWG), a civil society organization focused on the advancement of the cashew sector, conducted a two-day sensitization campaign aimed at cashew farmers in the Bono Region.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Alhassan Junior, the Project Officer of CWG, stated that the forum was part of a larger strategy to bolster cashew farmer cooperatives in the region. He urged farmers to organize into cooperatives. The sessions took place in Yabraso, Tain District, and Dompofie, Banda District.
Mr. Junior highlighted that these events are part of the 'Amplifying the Voices of Cashew Farmers' (AVCF-II) Project, an 18-month initiative funded by the STAR-Ghana Foundation through the AVID II Programme. He noted that the campaign aims to enhance the understanding of cooperative principles and benefits among farmers.
The initiative promotes the involvement of women and youth in leadership roles within cooperatives and seeks to improve collaboration between farmers and essential agricultural institutions. Personnel from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), traditional authorities, women and youth farmers, and opinion leaders attended the events.
Mr. Junior emphasized that cooperative development is a key strategy for enhancing the socio-economic conditions of smallholder farmers. He explained that cooperatives enable farmers to negotiate better prices, access affordable financial services, benefit from agricultural extension support, and advocate for policies favorable to the cashew sector's sustainable development.
He stated, 'Strong cooperatives provide farmers with a stronger collective voice,' and added, 'When farmers collaborate, they can reduce exploitation by middlemen, enhance their bargaining power, and create greater economic opportunities.'
During an open forum, stakeholders encouraged farmers to form cooperatives to access extension services, government interventions, improved technologies, and capacity-building programs. Participants also discussed solutions to challenges such as fluctuating farm-gate prices, poor road infrastructure, and limited access to credit and reliable markets.
Farmers praised the project's execution, noting that the campaign increased their awareness of the benefits of farmer cooperatives. The events also prioritized gender equality and youth inclusion, encouraging women and young farmers to take active roles in cooperative leadership and decision-making.
Project implementers reported that the AVCF-II Project is being carried out in the Jaman North, Jaman South, Tain, and Banda districts of the Bono Region, aiming to strengthen farmer advocacy, improve cooperative governance, promote inclusive participation of women and youth, and enhance the socio-economic wellbeing of cashew farming households through collective action and strategic partnerships.