What If Every Cocoa Farmer In Ghana Knew What Malik Knows?

Lately I’ve been alot thinking about education for cocoa farmers. And I’d like to share with you something…

If you ever visit the Ohene Cocoa Farm for a tour, you’ll meet Uncle Malik. And he’ll show you around the vast and beautiful agroforestry project.

Of course, not just to look at trees with green or yellow pods. Malik will teach you about the different farm processes he and eight (or seven?) other farmers execute to grow cocoa organically on the Ohene Cocoa Farm.

He’ll also show you the many forest tree species on the farm. Then he’ll teach you about the other food crops and fruits keeping the cocoa trees company.

It’s a masterclass.

Two weeks ago, I stood by as he explained the importance of pruning to a visiting partner. It was the first time I learned how over-pruning could hurt the activities of microorganisms in the soil.

These little folks do better in a cool environment to benefit the cocoa trees. So if a farmer cuts too many branches, the poor folks will be at the mercy of the hot sun.

Here’s the cool thing Malik shared:

He likes to keep the red ants climbing the trees because some pests fear them. And, during pruning, if he cuts a branch that houses these ants, he’ll pick the ant home and put it back under the tree so the ants can climb up again. The story triggered a smile that’s just popped up while I write this very line.

Back to that moment, as I listened to Malik, my mind couldn’t help but interrupt my lesson with memories of Acheampong’s farm.

What if the 75-year-old man knew what Malik knows? About mulching, pruning, weed control, fertilizer application, about organic pest control?

Perhaps he could get more yield from his 5-acre farm than he currently has (I’ve forgotten the figure. But it’s down there). Perhaps he’d know that boosting his yield involves more than applying fertilizer and pruning (both of which he really hasn’t mastered yet).

The striking thing about Malik’s teaching is that anyone can understand it, even a toddler. Because you’re right there on the farm. You can see the cocoa trees, and how they interact with the sun, with the forest trees, with the nearby stream, with the centipedes, millipedes, and ants. You can see them all.

I’m already planning to visit Malik with some farmers who could learn a lot from him. But I can’t help but ask again:

What if every cocoa farmer in Ghana (even Africa) knew what Malik knows? Can cocoa-growing expertise can be common knowledge to every farmer in the country?

Thank you for reading this thought. I hope you’re having a great day.

PS:
It’ll be unfair to deny you the story of Malik Gado, Farm Manager and tour guide at the Ohene Cocoa Farm. I’ll keep his interview on my to-do list.