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The Blue Skies Foundation held a groundbreaking ceremony on April 3 for the construction of a state-of-the-art training centre at Sunyani Getfund for mango farmers in Sunyani, aimed at boosting mango production.
The new training centre, expected to be completed within five months, will comprise a resource centre, office space, washrooms, and a store room.
This project is part of the Blue Skies Foundation’s ongoing commitment to supporting smallholder farmers in the mango industry.
Blue Skies has been producing fresh-cut fruit and freshly squeezed juice products since 1998.
The groundbreaking ceremony marks a significant milestone for the Blue Skies Foundation and its partners, signifying the beginning of a transformative project that will benefit mango farmers in the Bono region for years to come.
According to Alistair Djimatey, Head of Foundation and Corporate Affairs at Blue Skies, investing in the training and development of mango farmers is crucial for a sustainable future for the agricultural sector.
Once completed, the training centre will enable Sunyani’s mango farmers to produce enough mangoes to meet Blue Skies’ daily production demands.
Mr. Djimatey told Kaakyire Kwasi Afari of Sunyani-based Ark FM that the centre will provide access to specialized training and resources for mango farmers, enhancing their skills and knowledge to improve productivity.
Mr. Alistair Djimatey has called for government support to prioritize tree crops, specifically mango production, to boost the local economy.
He believes mango farming could serve as a viable alternative to cocoa and other cash crops for farmers.
According to Alistair Djimatey, the Sunyani project will be one of eight initiatives the Blue Skies Foundation is implementing this year across the country to boost mango production.
Mr. George Kafui Agbozu, Chairman of the Greenfield Mango Farmers Association, commended the Blue Skies Foundation for the project, noting that the training centre would ease the financial burden of rent payments.
He emphasized the importance of training for mango farmers to prevent post-harvest losses and called for a ready market.
*Source: Kaakyire Kwasi Afari. Ark FM, Sunyani.*
