Olam Ghana Limited, a leading international grower and exporter of cashew in the country, as part of its corporate social responsibility, has honoured cashew farmers in the country by sponsoring the 2011 district best cashew farmers’ awards in two districts in the Brong Ahafo region.
Two distinguished cashew farmers from the Jaman North and South Districts in the Sampa Zone, one of the company’s operational areas, won the maiden awards during the 17th National Farmers’ Day celebration.
55-year-old sub-chief, with the stool name Nana Ankamah Febri, Adontenhene of Sebreni, near Drobo, was adjudged the Jaman South District Best Cashew Farmer for the year 2011 which was held at Babianeha, near Japekrom.
For his prize, Nana Ankamah Febri was given a brand new motorbike by Olam Ghana Limited.
He expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Olam Ghana Limited for instituting the awards, which he noted will encourage other farmers into cashew production.
At Jaman North District, Kwame Tawiah, 55, was declared the district’s 2011 Best Cashew Farmer at a colorful event held at Seketia, near Sampa.
Mr Tawiah, a resident of Kokoa in the district, also received a brand new motorbike from Olam Ghana Ltd.
He told the press that he has been in the cashew business for the past 30 years and gets an average yield of 50 metric tons per annum from his 30-acre cashew farm, announcing plans to expand production in the future.
Both events were attended by chiefs, heads of government departments and agencies in the two districts, agriculture officers, local farmers and the general public.
Addressing the durbar at Seketia, the Sampa Zonal Head of Olam, Amankwa Yussif, said the company decided to sponsor the award in order to increase cashew production in the country.
Mr. Amankwa hinted that Olam Ghana Limited has so many programmes and interventions for farmers in the country to improve their living conditions and urged farmers to embrace these interventions.
He also encouraged farmers to do business with Olam for them so as to enjoy the company’s rewarding packages.
OLAM Ghana Limited earlier this year expressed readiness to double its current export of 24,000 metric tons annually in order to consolidate its position globally.
The company, which has recorded a steady increase in the export of cashew over the last 15 years, also ventured into cotton farming in the Upper West region at the beginning of the season this year.
According to management, OLAM Ghana has currently outgrown its competitors in the industry because of its fantastic management team at the helm of affairs.
OLAM, which currently employs 13,000 staff directly and indirectly globally, is a fully integrated player in cashew supply chain with presence in 15 producing countries and processing and production facilities in seven countries.
The company is the largest processor of cashew in Africa with facilities in Cote d’Ivoire, Tanzania, Nigeria and Mozambique with plans to establish one in Ghana soon.
It is also a global supply chain of major agricultural commodities throughout the 60 operational countries with 19 in Africa, delivering 20 products to more than 10,500 customers worldwide.
Source: Stephen Zoure
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