The Senior Trader of Cocoa and Olam Food Ingredients, Mr. Vignesh Thirukonda, has commended Ghanaian cocoa farmers for their vital role in producing cocoa with consistent quality, distinctive flavour and excellent fermentation characteristics, which make Ghana’s cocoa highly valued in international markets.
Mr. Thirukonda made the remarks when a group of National Best Cocoa Farmers from Ghana, accompanied by officials of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), visited Olam’s facilities in the United Kingdom as part of an educational tour to deepen their understanding of the global cocoa industry, chocolate production and the importance of maintaining Ghana’s reputation for high-quality cocoa.
During the visit, Mr. Thirukonda shared insights into Olam’s operations in Ghana and other parts of the world, including its involvement in cocoa purchasing, processing, logistics and sustainability initiatives. He also highlighted the importance of working closely with farmers to improve agricultural practices, boost productivity and address challenges affecting cocoa production.
He called for stronger collaboration among farmers, COCOBOD, the government and private-sector stakeholders to address challenges in the cocoa sector and sustain Ghana’s competitiveness in the global cocoa market.
The visit provided the award-winning farmers with an opportunity to interact with industry professionals, learn about cocoa bean sourcing and processing, and appreciate how the cocoa they cultivate contributes to chocolate products enjoyed by consumers around the world.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, the Head of Public Affairs at COCOBOD, Lawyer Jerome K. Sam, expressed appreciation to Olam for its continued commitment to hosting Ghana’s National Best Cocoa Farmers for educational visits.
He acknowledged the company’s important role in Ghana’s cocoa value chain and described the engagement as a valuable opportunity for the farmers to learn from an international player in the cocoa industry.
Mr. Sam also appealed to Olam to consider qualified young people from cocoa-growing communities when employment opportunities arise, stressing that local communities should benefit from the economic activities taking place in their areas.
He further encouraged continued knowledge-sharing to help farmers explore value-addition opportunities, including small-scale chocolate production, as a means of generating additional income.
The farmers also used the opportunity to share their experiences and the practices that have contributed to their achievements.
Madam Cecilia Adeb, the 2025 Most Enterprising Female Cocoa Farmer, explained that regular weeding, pruning, fertiliser application and the gradual replacement of ageing cocoa trees had helped her maintain her farms.
She also highlighted the importance of careful post-harvest handling, explaining that she uses a stick rather than a knife to open cocoa pods to avoid damaging the beans. She added that she relies on natural sunlight for drying to preserve cocoa quality.
For his part, Mr. Edward Kwame Yeboah, the 2025 National Best Cocoa Farmer, attributed his productivity records to adherence to training and support from COCOBOD’s extension officers.
He explained that adopting recommended practices, including pruning, pollination, organic manure application and fertilisation, had helped him achieve yields of approximately 25 to 26 bags per hectare.
The farmers’ accounts demonstrated the importance of practical knowledge, technical support and the adoption of good agricultural practices in improving yields and maintaining cocoa quality.
The engagement reaffirmed the central role of cocoa farmers in Ghana’s cocoa industry and highlighted the need for sustained collaboration among industry stakeholders to preserve the quality, competitiveness and long-term sustainability of Ghanaian cocoa.
