By Samuel Ackon, GNA
Assin Fosu (C/R), July 03, GNA- Mr Isaac Sarfo Afram, the Assin Fosu District Cocoa Officer of the Cocoa Health and Extension Division (CHED), says the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) was set to distribute 2.3 million hybrid cocoa seedlings to farmers to increase yields.
In a bid to boost cocoa production, he noted that pollinators have been trained to be engaged by farmers at a cost between the farmers and the pollinators.
On the other hand, he mentioned that Cocoa Health and Extension Officers have been trained to assist cocoa farmers to increase productivity to enhance their livelihood.
Mr Affram, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on increasing cocoa production in the district, noted that COCOBOD would not relent on its oars, but rather continue its educational programmes in the communities to enable farmers get access to technological information.
He said the country was practicing an integrated farming system where cocoa was mixed with other crops and advised cocoa farmers to continue practicing the organic farming system to ensure the integrity of the country’s cocoa in the international market.
Then also, he entreated cocoa producers to continue adhering to the campaign against climate change by promoting a zero deforestation programme.
”The programme is aimed at preserving vegetation and environment and ensuring the sustainability of the cocoa value chain,” he said.
He also encouraged farmers to adopt hybrid cocoa seedlings in their farms.
Mr. Affram advised the youth to go into cocoa farming and take advantage of COCOBOD’s intervention of free distribution of early maturing and high yielding cocoa seedlings, free distribution of agrochemicals and fertilizers and pruning machines along other inputs.
GNA
