Afarinick distributes 400,000 free cocoa seedlings to farmers in Volta Region
Afarinick Company Limited (ACL) has distributed over 400,000 improved cocoa seedlings free of charge to farmers across the Volta Region, a major intervention aimed at accelerating cocoa cultivation and improving farmer livelihoods.
The large-scale seedling distribution exercise was held at Afarinick's flagship cocoa project in Kpando, where the company has established a 2,000-acre sustainable commercial cocoa plantation, recognised as Ghana's largest. The event brought together hundreds of cocoa farmers, traditional authorities, political leaders and agricultural stakeholders.
MPs commend intervention
The event was attended by the Member of Parliament for Kpando Constituency, Sebastian Fred Deh; the MP for Hohoe Constituency, Thomas Worlanyo Tsekpo; the MP for Guan Constituency, Fred Agbenyo; and the MP for Biakoye Constituency, Jean-Marie Formadi.
Speaking at the event, Sebastian Fred Deh described the intervention as transformative, noting that the distribution of seedlings and the establishment of large-scale cocoa infrastructure would empower farmers and contribute significantly to the Volta Region's economic development.
Thomas Worlanyo Tsekpo and Jean-Marie Formadi reaffirmed their commitment to supporting cocoa expansion efforts within their constituencies, stressing the potential of cocoa farming to create jobs, generate income and stimulate rural development.
Improved cocoa varieties
The 400,000 seedlings distributed were produced from improved cocoa varieties designed to deliver higher yields, better disease tolerance and greater resilience to changing climatic conditions. Farmers from various districts across the Volta Region received the seedlings as part of efforts to establish new cocoa farms and rehabilitate existing farms.
According to Afarinick, the distribution programme is expected to contribute significantly to increasing cocoa acreage within the region while supporting the government's efforts to expand national cocoa production.
Two-million seedling nursery
Davida Pappoe, Programmes Manager of Afarinick Company Limited, explained that the free distribution of improved cocoa seedlings forms part of the company's corporate social responsibility commitment to supporting farming communities.
She noted that the seedlings were raised in Afarinick's state-of-the-art cocoa nursery in Kpando, which has the capacity to produce more than two million improved cocoa seedlings annually. The nursery, one of the largest of its kind in Ghana, was established to meet the growing demand for high-quality cocoa planting materials.
Afarinick acknowledged the support of the Seed Production Division of Ghana Cocoa Board, which supplied the improved cocoa pods used in producing the seedlings.
Ghana's largest cocoa plantation
The seedling distribution programme was held alongside a tour of Afarinick's 2,000-acre sustainable commercial cocoa plantation, the largest of its kind in Ghana. The plantation showcases modern irrigation systems, climate-smart agricultural practices and sustainable land management techniques.
The plantation represents a significant private-sector investment in Ghana's agricultural sector and demonstrates the potential for large-scale, environmentally responsible cocoa production. Combined with the company's 2-million-capacity nursery, the project is expected to play a critical role in supporting cocoa expansion and improving access to quality planting materials for farmers nationwide.
For many farmers, the free seedlings represented a valuable opportunity to establish or expand cocoa farms without the burden of acquiring planting materials. Stakeholders at the event described the initiative as a strategic investment in livelihoods, agricultural productivity and the future of cocoa farming in the Volta Region.