Greater stability through diversity
In Ghana, the sweet potato is the fourth most important root crop after yams, cassava and taro root. Research shows that sweet potatoes are a potential source of income, food security and nutrition for smallholder farmers. For farmers looking to diversify, it turns out that sweet potatoes are the perfect go-to crop.
Compared to other crops in Ghana, the sweet potato requires less labor, and according to the International Potato Center, new varieties are able to withstand dry conditions, resist diseases, and grow even in poor soil. Thanks to Solidaridad’s Cocoa Life programme, members of the Sukrong Canaan community in the Eastern region of Ghana have discovered the benefits of crop diversification and cultivate sweet potatoes on their cocoa farms.
Sukrong Canaan’s Journey to Success
In 2022, through the Cocoa Life programme, Solidaridad put out a call to cocoa farmers in Ghana proposing a variety of crops in an effort to diversify their income streams. In communities that participated in the project, Solidaridad provided training and established demonstration farms so farmers could put their training into practice while observing the real-world results of their efforts.
Like other farming communities in the region, farmers in Sukrong Canaan were focused on growing cocoa, which often provided insufficient income. Crop diversification represents an opportunity to improve the livelihood and income of community members.
As part of the diversification programme, members of the Sukrong Canaan community zeroed in on sweet potatoes. Solidaridad collaborated with extension officers from Ghana’s Department of Agriculture to train and support the Sukrong Canaan farmers as they established a four-acre sweet potato demonstration farm.
During the project’s pilot phase, farmers applied their training in good practices and achieved success with the new crop. As a follow-up to their efforts, the programme connected the farmers with an easily accessible market for selling the new produce at an appreciable profit.
With these shared profits, the farmers soon acquired the means to cultivate sweet potatoes on their own farms. Currently, ten smallholder cocoa farmers from the community are farming sweet potatoes for additional income.
The news of their success has spread to other communities and an additional 25 farmers have joined the training programme and diversified their crop production.
Kwaku Atta Shares his Story
For Kwaku Atta, the additional source of income has been a lifesaver. Now, he is able to provide an education for his children, pay his rent on time and invest in his farm without having to apply for loans. His 6.5 acre sweet potato farm has proven very productive.
“During my second harvest in March, I was able to harvest up to 50 bags (100 kg per bag) of potatoes which I sold at 600 Ghana cedis (53 USD) each. I made 30,000 Ghana cedis (2,653 USD). I’m happy to have been part of the training on crop diversification”, he shares.
To date, Kwaku has harvested and sold 133 bags of potatoes while earning a total of 64,300 Ghana cedis (5,444 USD).
“As an early adopter, Kwaku has set the pace in the community and influenced other members to diversify their income as well. Moreover, his potato farm now serves as a source of income for some women in the community during harvest”
Alex Atigla, Group Leader in Sukrong Canaan
The Cocoa Life Programme
The Cocoa Life programme, implemented by Solidaridad in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, works to create a robust and sustainable cocoa supply chain.
“This intervention, which is also training smallholder cocoa farmers in good agricultural practices, is improving the yield and income of smallholders and building a robust local economy within the communities.”
Kwame Apau, Programme Manager for Cocoa Life at Solidaridad in Ghana
In Ghana, Cocoa Life has trained over 12,796 cocoa farmers who now generate additional income through the cultivation of vegetables and other food crops. The ongoing programme, which is funded by Mondelez International, has transformed the lives of participating farmers, like Kwaku Atta, and continues to improve the livelihoods of community members.