Asanko Gold Ghana Ltd has expanded its Community Agricultural Support Programme (CASP) to reach 80 smallholder farmers in the Ashanti Region. The programme aims to improve agricultural productivity, strengthen food security, and help farmers cope with rising input costs, changing rainfall patterns, and limited access to agricultural extension services. The beneficiaries are drawn from 12 communities in the Amansie West and Amansie South districts.
The second phase of the programme will provide farmers with inputs, training, and technical support to improve farming practices and increase food production. Isaac Kwakye, Asanko's Social Responsibility Manager, said the initiative was designed to strengthen agriculture and support livelihoods in the company's host communities. He explained that providing farmers with inputs, training, and technical support would help improve farming practices and increase food production.
Under Phase Two, each participating farmer cultivating at least one acre will receive weed-control inputs, Wellington boots, a raincoat, a cutlass, and a knapsack sprayer. The items were selected to support farmers in key activities including land preparation, weed management, and safer working conditions. Justice Fenteng, General Manager of Asanko, noted that agriculture remains an important source of food and income for households in the company's host communities.
Beneficiaries will receive practical training in improved and climate-resilient farming methods, covering farm planning, weed management, responsible use of inputs, safe handling of equipment, and approaches to adapting farming practices to changing rainfall patterns and other weather conditions. The training aims to equip farmers with the knowledge to use the inputs effectively. Esther Afoakwa, Assistant Director of Agriculture for the Amansie South District, welcomed the intervention.
Esther Afoakwa noted that illegal mining was contributing to declining interest in agriculture among young people in the district. She said farming was increasingly being left to older people as some young people turned to mining activities for income. Afoakwa expressed hope that the support would help farmers improve their activities and strengthen household livelihoods.
A beneficiary from one of the participating communities expressed appreciation for the initiative, saying it would help them improve their farming activities. The beneficiary hoped that the company would continue to support farmers in their communities. Asanko Gold's initiative aims to make a positive impact on the lives of farmers and their communities.
Asanko Gold's Community Agricultural Support Programme has been expanded to support more farmers in the Ashanti Region. The programme's second phase will provide critical support to smallholder farmers, helping them to improve their productivity and livelihoods. Key aspects of the programme include providing inputs, training, and technical support to farmers.
Key points
- Asanko Gold Ghana Ltd expands its Community Agricultural Support Programme to 80 smallholder farmers in the Ashanti Region.
- The programme aims to improve agricultural productivity, strengthen food security, and help farmers cope with rising input costs and changing rainfall patterns.
- Beneficiaries will receive practical training in improved and climate-resilient farming methods.
