Growing Hope: The Inspiring Story of Gloria Mariama Gariba

Gloria has created a thriving cashew farm that not only supports her and 4 children but also serves as a beacon of hope for her community.

Joseph Kpamka Dindiok (MEAL/GIS Specialist, ADRA Ghana)
March 21, 2023

In the Wenchi Municipal of Ghana, Gloria Mariama Gariba has created a thriving cashew farm that supports her and her four children and is a hope for her community. With the help of the Bono-Asante Atea (BAAT) Project implemented by ADRA Ghana (2019-2022), Gloria has received valuable training and resources to maintain her farm for maximum yield. Through her hardwork and dedication, she has learned innovative farming practices that have improved her cashew yield and allowed her to provide for her family. Join us on a journey to discover the inspiring story of Gloria Mariama Gariba and her growing hope for a brighter future.

Gloria Mariama Gariba's cashew farm in the Wenchi Municipal of Ghana covers 9.5 acres and is the primary source of income for her and her four children. The farm is her pride and joy, representing her hard work and dedication to her family's welfare.

However, before the ADRA Ghana's BAAT Project came to her aid, Gloria faced several challenges in running her cashew farm. One of the significant challenges she encountered was the lack of knowledge of innovative farming practices that could boost her yield. She struggled with pest infestations and ineffective nut-picking methods, which led to reduced yield and lower income.

To make matters worse, Gloria didn't even know the total size of her farm, resulting in overpaying for labor and supplies. However, thanks to the project's drone mapping and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology support, Gloria now has a clear understanding of her farm's total acreage (i.e., 9.5 acres).

Using Drone Technology for Cashew Farm Mapping.

Mr. Bert Smit, CEO of ADRA UK, with Madam Gloria Mariama Gariba and her four (4) Children

BAAT Project Overview The BAAT Project is defined within the European Union (EU)'s Territorial Approach to Local Development (TALD) Framework, which seeks to promote greater stakeholder engagement at the local level to reduce poverty and promote growth and sustainable development. Implicit in the framework is the need to ensure greater participation of women and women groups to enhance gender equality in local development. It also aims to provide job opportunities to the youth to stem the tide of youth migration in Ghana. The project had the following specific objectives to achieve:

1. By 2022, increase employment in the cashew value chain industry for 14,500 women, youth, and men living in cashew (Atea in Twi) growing areas in the Wenchi Municipal, Tain, and Jaman North districts in the Bono Region; Nkoranza North District in the Bono East Region; and Ejura-Sekyedumase Municipal in the Ashanti Region;

2. Increase beneficiary income in the cashew business by 30%;

3. Increase knowledge of climate change adaptation within the target group by 60%; and

4. Increase cashew revenue in Municipal and District Assemblies (MDAs) by 10%. The initiative was expected to benefit around 75,000 community members, permanent and temporary cashew sector workers, transporters, processors and exporters, Municipal and District Assemblies (MDAs), and the Department of Agriculture (DoA).

Result 1—Increased Employment in the Cashew Value Chain Industry: The BAAT Project aimed to create employment opportunities in the cashew sector. It surpassed its target by providing job opportunities for 14,966 beneficiaries, which is 3.2% more than its target of 14,500. The final evaluation report found that the project significantly impacted employment generation in the cashew value chain industry. Additionally, the project indirectly employed around 94,812 value chain actors, which is higher than the initial target of 75,000 beneficiaries.

Result 2—Increased Beneficiaries’ Income in the Cashew Industry by 30%: The project improved the livelihoods of participating farmers by increasing their cash revenue from cashew farming. The project exceeded its target by training 6,007 cashew farmers (117.8% of the target) to inter-crop maize, groundnut, yam, vegetables, and other crops while providing training in improved farm management and cashew nut collection techniques. The project succeeded due to adopting the use of improved inputs, good agronomic practices, and other support services. At the project’s beginning, farmers’ average annual income was GH¢9,527.69 (€1,714.98). Household income increased by over GH¢4,900 (€617.14), a 34.1% increase over the baseline, exceeding the target by 4.1%.

Result 3—Sixty Percent (60%) Increase in Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) Knowledge Among the Target Group: The BAAT Project exceeded its final target of training 8,200 people by training 8,409 cashew farmers (102.5% of the target) on climate change adaptation (CCA) and environmental management practices. The project used on-farm demonstrations and radio talk shows to reach beneficiaries. At the start of the project, only 25.5% of baseline survey respondents were aware of measures to adapt to climate change impacts. However, the final evaluation found that the BAAT Project significantly increased climate change adaptation knowledge among farmers. The project's participants' understanding of CCA increased from 25.5% to 99.2%, resulting in a net knowledge increase of 73.7%. This achievement represents a 13.7% over-achievement compared to the final target of 60%.

Result 4—Ten Percent (10%) Increase in Cashew Revenue for Municipal and District Assemblies: The baseline study of the BAAT Project found that MDAs lacked proper records on revenue generated from the cashew sector due to a lack of consistent databases on the value chain actors, revenue collection contracts awarded to private firms charging high commissions, and no specific entries for cashew revenues in their trial balances. The project developed a geodatabase, mapping 14,249 cashew actors and establishing revenue entries on MDAs’ trial balances. It also supported the MDAs in establishing a task force for cashew revenue mobilization. It linked farmers and aggregators to four (4) major marketing centers and off-takers (i.e., OLAM International, Kingdom EXIM Ghana Ltd., Red River Foods, and BAAD Ventures). The cashew sector contributed about 20% to the assemblies’ revenue, with Jaman North recording significantly higher gains than the other districts.

ABOUT US

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is a global humanitarian organization whose motto is Justice, Compassion, and Love. The Agency’s purpose is “to serve humanity so all may live as God intended.” ADRA Ghana belongs to the worldwide ADRA network, which delivers relief and development assistance to individuals, households, and communities in more than 118 supporting and implementing country offices—regardless of ethnicity, political affiliation, gender, or religious association. Having supported sustainable development for almost 40 years in Ghana, our on-the-ground approach allows immediate assistance in times of crisis and true partnership with the communities we serve. We deliver culturally relevant programs by partnering with local communities, organizations, and governments and building local capacity for sustainable change.

Based in Auckland, New Zealand, GoodOne Foods provides New Zealanders with quality, sustainable, ethically sourced products at realistic prices. The company sources coconut from Vietnam, soul cocoa and cocoa beans from the Solomon Islands, and cashews and peanuts from Ghana for its operations. Most importantly, products with high nutritional value contain no added sugar. In addition to paying a premium over market value for its products, Goodone also donates 100 percent of its proceeds to ADRA International, a partner in community transformation. GoodOne Foods purchases Raw Cashew Nuts (RCN) from the BAAT Project beneficiaries. The company has signed a contract with ADRA Ghana to buy 100 metric tons of good quality RCN from the BAAT Project farmers. GoodOne is paying premium prices over the market value for the nuts.

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