By P. K. Yankey
Dunkwa-On-Offin (C/R), Nov 30, GNA-The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Mr Joseph Boahen-Aidoo, has asked Cocoa farmers to appreciate the massive interventions in the cocoa sector by the government.
That, he noted, had led to an increased productivity which had improved their economic fortunes.
Mr Boahen-Aidoo was addressing a durbar of Cocoa Farmers at Dunkwa-On-Offin in the Western-South Region.
It formed part of COCOBO’s periodic durbar and town hall engagement to outline achievements of COCOBOD as part of the Cocoa Productivity Enhancement Programme.
Mr Boahen-Aidoo, who said his eight -year reign as CEO of COCOBOD was coming to an end, stressed the need to sensitize farmers on how to adopt prudent farming practices for higher productivity.
He acknowledged that since he assumed office as CEO in 2017, he had put in prudent measures through regular visits to the field to educate farmers which had led to increased productivity.
Mr Boahen-Aidoo said before he came into office, a cocoa farmer was able to harvest three bags per acre but with his regular education and sensitization, a farmer could now harvest 20 bags of Cocoa beans.
The CEO said the government had increased the producer price of Cocoa to better the living conditions of farmers.
He outlined some massive interventions in the cocoa business such as using the cocoa beans to process local shea butter to produce pre-mix fuel to feed slashing machines and motorized sprayers for spraying their farms.
Mr Boahen-Aidoo said his outfit was able to cut down cocoa trees which had become moribund and replaced them with new ones as part of the Cocoa Rehabilitation Programme.
He added that the government had secured a loan from the World Bank to continue with the exercise.
The CEO said COCOBOD had decided to increase the producer price of Cocoa despite the depreciation of the cedi against the dollar.
Mr Boahen-Aidoo debunked allegations in certain circles that cocoa farmers were worse off under the current regime.
He reminded cocoa farmers to appreciate the efforts of the government since 2017 and retain the NPP in power.
Chief of Dunkwa-On-Offin, Nana Nuako III on behalf of farmers in the Upper Denkyira District, thanked COCOBOD for introducing better farming practices.
He said between 2017 and 2024, distribution of farming inputs to cocoa farmers had been massive which led to increased productivity.
Nana Nuako III lauded COCOBOD for increasing the producer price of Cocoa despite shortfalls of the cedi.
GNA
