Cocobod distributes 60m hybrid seedlings for planting season

Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) is preparing to distribute about 60 million cocoa seedlings free of charge to cocoa farmers across the country for planting this season.

Dr. Francis Baah, the Executive Director, Cocoa Health and Extension Division of the COCOBOD, inaugurated a 10-member taskforce formed to monitor cocoa disease and pest control chemicals for Kejebril in the Ahanta West district of the Western Region.

He urged farmers to contact leaders in their areas for allocations of the seedlings, which will be enough to cover over 50,000 hectares.

He announced that a new chemical known as “Folia-Livet A” that makes spraying faster and easier has been introduced on the market, and farmers will be educated on its usage.

Mr. James Kofi Kutsoati, the Deputy Chief Executive, in charge of Operations at COCOBOD, inaugurated the taskforce and called for vigilance among members to prevent diversion of cocoa beans to neighbouring countries.

The 10-member taskforce comprises security personnel, cocoa officers and farmers, district assembly members and officials of the National Disaster Management Organisation.

The taskforce will among others curb the smuggling of cocoa beans, monitor the distribution of fertiliser and chemicals to cocoa farmers, and serve as vigilante group to ensure that farmers adopt good practices. It has Madam Elizabeth Asah, Kejebril District Cocoa Officer, as its chairperson.

Mr. Paul Evans Aidoo, Western Regional Minister, said that the pollution of the river bodies by illegal miners is having adverse effects on the economy, and warned that those caught will be dealt with together with their accomplices.

Mr. Anthony Kwesi Osei, Kejebril District Chief Farmer, called on experts in cocoa to educate farmers in the hinterlands on best practices to increase their yield.