By
Dorothy Frances Ward, GNA
Poano, (Ash), Jan. 24,
GNA – Nana Karikari Addo, Managing Director of the Quality Control Company of
COCOBOD, has asked cocoa farmers to make maximum use of extension officers and
always seek technical advice in the use and application of chemicals in their
farms.
This, according to
him, would help maintain the quality of the country’s cocoa beans and
strengthen its position as the premium supplier of cocoa on the international
market.
Speaking at a
farmers’ rally at Poano in the Bekwai Cocoa District, Mr Addo said COCOBOD was
implementing several initiatives to support cocoa farmers to increase yield and
improve their incomes.
He said processes
had begun to register all cocoa farmers in the country to obtain accurate
information on all farmers to aid policy development and implementation.
The registration
would also enable COCOBOD effectively monitor cocoa farms, help in the
distribution of inputs and other welfare services to all farmers, while
ensuring that quality beans were produced at all times.
The rally was
organized by the Quality Control Company to educate cocoa farmers on various
agronomical practices to help improve yield and quality of cocoa produced in
the country.
Nana Addo said the
registered cocoa farmers would be given cards that would enable them purchase
fertilizer and other farm inputs easily.
He said the
government was cutting down all disease infested cocoa trees free of charge and
both land owners and cocoa farmers would be duly compensated.
The Managing
Director said government introduced modern farm equipment to reduce drudgery in
cocoa farming, and electronic scale to ensure accurate measurement of cocoa
beans to reduce cheating by purchasing clerks.
He advised the
farmers to join cooperative unions to enable them benefit from the various
initiatives being introduced by the government.
Mr Kwadwo Danso,
Ashanti Regional Manager of Cocoa Health and Extension Division (CHED), said
personnel were currently undergoing training to begin the registration
exercise.
Mr Julius Martinson,
Ashanti Regional Manager of the Quality Control Company, said the welfare and
progress of farmers were the priority of COCOBOD adding that, cocoa production
enhancement programmes were going to be intensified to increase yield and
incomes.
The farmers called
for the rehabilitation of roads in cocoa growing communities to ease the
suffering of cocoa farmers, while at the same time, increasing the number of
extension officers posted to their communities.
GNA