The Chief Executive of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has urged farmers to hold on to their farms instead of giving them to galamsey operators.
He says money paid to farmers is just for a short period whereas cocoa gives a lifetime source of revenue to the farmer and his family.
Hon. Aidoo made the appeal at Anyinasi in the Western Region when he interacted with Chiefs and Cocoa farmers as part of his tour to cocoa communities in the western region.
The COCOBOD Chief Executive announced that there are a number of measures being rolled out to improve cocoa production per hecta.
He was worried about the situation where most young persons are shying away from cocoa farming a situation which must changed.
This he believes will change when farmers see benefits from the initiatives rolled out.
The Chief of Anyinasi Nana Astu Panyin reported the CODAPEC officials to the chief Executive on how they distribute chemicals to the farmers.
He was full of praise to the chief Executive for introducing the hand pollination exercise which he said was yielding result but quickly added that when COCOBOD rolls out the second phase, they should consider employing people from the area.
