Source Trust and Hershey launch initiative to grow farmer’ productivity

Source Trust in Ghana, a division of Amarjaro Cocoa and The Hershey Company have announced the launch of a new initiative known as 'Hershey Learn To Grow'.

The Hershey Company and Source Trust, with the help of its partners, will set up 25 community-based farmer organisations, which will improve the living standards of 1,250 cocoa farming families.

The programme aims to double the productivity yield and farm income of those families over a four year period.

The 'Hershey Learn To Grow' programme will include training in best practices and sustainable farming and will give farmers access to improved planting materials, as well as finance for farm inputs.

The initiative will also include the setting up of technology centres to bring high-tech learning to rural farm villages via interactive curriculums, which can be followed by schools, farmers and members of the local community.

Nicko Debenham, Chairman of Source Trust commented: “We are very excited to be announcing the launch of this new Source Trust project in Ghana. This is our first project with The Hershey Company and is a strong endorsement of the Source Trust approach to working directly with cocoa producers, through farmer and family development centres to help improve their business knowledge and farming skills. We believe this new project will have a positive impact on farming families and the wider community.”

“We are very pleased to be partnering with Source Trust on 'Hershey Learn To Grow' so that together we can improve farming practices and increase family and community well-being in Ghana,” said Andy McCormick, Vice President, Public Affairs, The Hershey Company.

“From our CocoaLink mobile phone project in Ghana, we know that innovative approaches to cocoa farming will benefit their families and communities and increase enrolment in school.”

Source Trust is a not-for-profit organisation set up to help farmers improve their livelihoods through better crop yields and quality, through sustainable farming practices.

Source Trust’s projects pave the way for long-term, sustainable cocoa production, whilst enhancing farmers’ business prospects.

Projects delivered by Source Trust include farmer training on good agricultural practice, cocoa seed nurseries and planting material, farm inputs on credit, Village Resource Centres, malaria prevention and community infrastructure.

Source: Myjoyonline