Becoming a cocoa farmer – Saviour Adika’s story

He is focused, determined, works very hard and has a big vision to become a big cocoa entrepreneur. This is how his peers describe Saviour Adika in his community.   His physique and whole demeanor literally exudes the above qualities when you meet him.

At 25 years old, Saviour has an eight-acre cocoa farm and a thriving corn mill business. He is already considered a “wealthy” in his community where business opportunities are very rare and difficult to sustain.

But he has proven over the years, to be resilient in the face of all the challenges.

Saviour originally comes from Talakpo in the Volta Region but was born and raised in Assin Mankata, a small cocoa, and rice farming community in the Assin South District of the Central Region.He is a graduate of the Assin Manso Senior High school, where he took a Business Studies course.

Saviour was unable to continue his education after High School due to financial constraints and coupled with the fact that his mother had four other siblings to cater for.

Saviours’ farming life

“I got into farming because that is the only option in our community when one cannot access higher education after Secondary school,” he said.

However, as the years went by, he has not regretted going into farming. He affirmed that when he joined the MASO programme in 2016. After enrolling in the MASO Programme in the Assin Mankata Cocoa Academy, he has further improved his knowledge of good agronomic practices and sustainable production of cocoa.

Since joining MASO Saviour has established an additional 3-acre cocoa farm to the already existing 5 acres inherited from his father. He has further acquired 3 acres of cocoa farmland this year (2018). Currently, he has 11 acres in total. The plan is to gradually scale up to 15 acres by 2020 with savings from his father’s farm, corn Mill business and sale of food crops from his farm.

He has also expanded his Corn Mill business to cover other communities within the Assin Mankata radii. He has now assumed the responsibility of supporting of his four other siblings and provides all their material needs for them.

Social and Financial skills

Saviour’s outlook to life has changed as a result of social and financial skills impacted by the MASO programme.

 “Since joining MASO I have gained deep and extensive knowledge in cocoa production and I am now able to plan my farm activities very well,” Saviour said.

His community members also speak highly of him. “Saviour is a hardworking young man. He is always there when you need him and very selfless”, said Ndaanor, an elderly woman’s leader in the Assin Mankata community.

Conclusion

Saviour has through his handwork set a very good example for many of his peers in Assin Mankata and remains a good example of what handwork coupled with good support (MASO) can achieve.

“MASO has really helped me in improving my farming skills and exposed me to the business opportunities within my community. Farming is very demanding but rewarding in the long run, and you have to be a strong and committed person” said Saviour.

Saviour Adika drying his cocoa beans

Article was written by Johnson Ewelenkwa, MASO Programme Officer, Assin Foso