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AGRICULTURE

TANO S: Cocoa farmers schooled on ways to improve yields

Various associations of cocoa farmers in Ahafo, and Bono Regions converged at Bechem in the Tano South Municipality and receive training on the application of fertilizers, methods of controlling pest and disease and other farming practices to improve cocoa yields.

Date Created : 8/13/2019 2:41:22 AM : Story Author : Barnie K. Agyeman/Ghanadistricts.com

Mr Amakyi Dede, the Bono Regional Cocoa Health Extension Officer hinted that since cocoa farmers play significant role in the economy of Ghana, there is the need for them to be educated on good farming practices to ensure they obtain high yields.

He said fertilizer subsidy had been enjoyed by farmers over the years and stressed that government under the leadership of President Akufo-Addo has also subsidized fertilizer prices where cocoa farmers are allowed to pay 20% instant price per a bag of fertilizer and pay the rest of money during the minor and major cocoa farming seasons.

Mr Amakyi said government would find it difficult to identify challenges of individual farmer and urged them to form cooperative society and submit their grievances holistically to government and informed them also to follow all farming practices which would be given to them by the extension officers.

Municipal Chief Executive for Tano South, Collins Offinam Takyi said the Mass Cocoa spraying exercise was introduced under the leadership of former President John Agyekum Kuffour and hinted that the programme had been sustained over the years by successive governments, adding President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has also introduced pollination exercise to augment the existing programmes to make farmers obtain higher yields during the cocoa farming seasons.

He said Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire produce many tons of cocoa and for that matter; President Akufo-Addo had planned to collaborate with Cote d’Ivoire to set cocoa price to address the current cocoa price which had recorded significant drop in the world market.

MCE for Tano South, addressing the gathering

Benjamin Yeboah Sekyere who is the deputy Minister for Ahafo Region and MP for Tano South Constituency catalogued some of the achievements of government and reiterated that government under Nana Akufo-Addo would continue to distribute national resources equally and equitably to all MMDA’s to make authorities execute the needed projects aimed to improve the living standards of the rural folks. He also urged farmers to form association to make them to be identified and provided with farm inputs by government.

Benjamin Yeboah Sekyere addressing the gathering

Nana Fosu Gyeabour Akoto II, the Omanhene of Bechem Traditional Council who chaired the programme urged government to support farmers with the necessary farm inputs and stressed that the availability of farm inputs will help farmers to cultivate their lands throughout the year to produce more food to feed the country.

Omanhene of Bechem Traditional Council speaking at the function