The Covid – 19 pandemic has brought most countries to their knees, disrupting many economies leaving no one in its disruptive grip. Ghana as part of the world was hit with its share of Novel Corona Virus earlier this year, resulting in government diversifying most, if not all funds to manage the spread and reduce the occurrence of “imported’ cases from both foreign and neighboring countries.
We have all applauded the swift interventions and measures put in place by the government after extensive deliberation with bodies and ministry heads, to reduce the impact and manage the spread of the virus. One of the measures which are of particular interest to a coffee processor and advocates is the closure of borders of neighboring country Togo for two weeks and a further extension of this period for another two weeks with no definite timeline in mind.
Effect of the pandemic on a rural coffee farmer in Kpoeta.
This pandemic has a far-reaching effect than the government’s observation. A typical case is the situation of coffee farmers located about 193.9km from the capital. As some may argue that it is not far, just a distance of four hours thirty minutes drive from the capital city of Ghana, the focus here is the threat of this pandemic on the ability of coffee farmers to have a sustainable livelihood during this trying times. This is due to the closure of the border to Togo which is their main source of market for the green coffee.
This glaring effect has only thrown more light on issues affecting coffee cultivation in Ghana. It is common knowledge that coffee farmers in Ghana do not get the needed assistance beyond seedling supply as enjoyed by other cash crops farmers. These farmers over the years have been grappling with issues like;
1. Low yield per acre due to lack of coffee specific agro-inputs, pest and disease infestation, and improper cultural practices in coffee cultivation.
2. Poor quality in green coffee beans due to poor harvesting and post-harvesting techniques
3. Inadequate market within the country to absorb their output
Even with these disheartening conditions glaring at them, they still passionately cultivate coffee as a means of livelihood to sustain their families.
Their plight has been compounded with the attack of the COVID – 19 virus on the country because their main source of marketing their product which is export to the neighbouring country like Togo has been completely cut off due to the closure of borders. This has had adverse effect on their cash-flow.
In a dialogue with the village elder, Mr. David Ahorlu, he clearly stated that “they have a large stock of coffee in their homes which they normally sell during this period to make ends meet, but due to the pandemic they cannot send their coffee to Togo to sell. This is really affecting the farmers, those who have avocado pear and Kola inter-cropped with their coffee farms are sending them to Ho, the regional capital to sell for some money but the season for these crops would be over by the end of this month. Any form of assistance would be deeply appreciated to sustain many families in this period”.
Way Forward.
The farmers are calling on the government, developmental partners like Olam, Solidaridad, Rainforest Alliance, GIZ and other donor partners to take a critical look at the coffee sector to revamp and boost its cultivation. Below is a list of some interventions, that can be explored to change the face of coffee cultivation in the country;
• Crop insurance.
• Gender Transformative Change activities.
• Holistic sustainable farming methods and the approach.
• Pre financing.
• Coffee specific technical extension officers.
