Savannah Surprise: Farmer Proves Cocoa Can Thrive in Northern Ghana

For years, the belief that cocoa cannot survive in the savannah zones of northern Ghana has gone unchallenged. That narrative is now shifting, thanks to a remarkable breakthrough at Salnaayili in the Nanumba North Municipality, where cocoa trees are flourishing in open savannah terrain.

The thriving plantation, once thought impossible, is the work of Mohammed Yinchala, a farmer who began experimenting with cocoa in 2012. What started as a small trial has grown into a convincing demonstration that the north can support the prized cash crop.

Yinchala expanded his farm to four acres before wildfire destroyed two and a half acres. Today, the remaining one and a half acres produce an average of four bags per harvest. He believes this is enough evidence that cocoa production can be commercialised in the north with the right support.

He noted that limited technical knowledge and lack of farming tools remain major challenges, making the work physically demanding.

The Ghana Cocoa Board took notice of the development and visited the farm last Saturday to assess its potential. Officials presented Yinchala with cocoa products, chemicals and financial support. They also announced that COCOBOD’s CEO, Dr Randy Abbey, will provide him with a motorbike and put up a house for him on the farm to aid expansion.

Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Agronomy and Quality Control, Dr Francis Baah, described the discovery as significant. He hinted that COCOBOD will deploy experts to study the area for possible large-scale cultivation. He praised the farmer, stating that he had rewritten history.

COCOBOD also plans to honour Yinchala during the upcoming National Farmers Day celebration.

Meanwhile, the Regent of the Nanung Traditional Area, Nyelinboligu Naa Yakubu Andani Dasana, welcomed the move, saying the land is fertile and available in abundance for commercial production.

Yinchala’s success is already inspiring others. A nearby farmer, Abdul Rahaman Alhassan, has established a five acre cocoa field showing strong early growth. The area’s dense vegetation, tall shade trees and moist soil, supported by the Oti River, appear to offer favourable conditions for cocoa.

The discovery has opened a new chapter for agriculture in the north, raising hopes that cocoa cultivation could soon become a viable industry in the savannah.