The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has taken proactive steps to empower cocoa farmers through a recent sensitization workshop held in Tepa, a cocoa-growing area situated in the Ahafo Ano North district of the Ashanti region. The primary aim of the workshop was to educate and conscientize cocoa farmers about the importance of implementing approved farming practices to enhance cocoa yields and increase their income.
Farmers’ Concerns and Solutions
This workshop not only served as an educational platform but also provided an opportunity for COCOBOD to interact with cocoa farmers, enabling them to share their challenges and concerns. In response, possible solutions and recommendations were offered to address these issues effectively.
Collaborative Efforts
The workshop witnessed the active participation of cocoa farmers from various cocoa-growing areas across Ghana. The event was chaired by Nana Adusei Atwenewa Ampem II, the Paramount Chief of Tepa Traditional Area. Prior to the workshop, agricultural extension officers and COCOBOD’s management had undertaken field visits to cocoa farms in and around Tepa, allowing them to gain firsthand insight into the challenges faced by farmers.
Key Topics Covered
Cocoa farmers were provided with valuable guidance on essential farming practices, including:
1. Pruning: Understanding the importance of proper tree pruning to optimize cocoa tree health and productivity.
2. Pollination: The significance of effective pollination techniques to enhance cocoa pod formation.
3. Timely Weeding: Emphasizing the need for regular and timely weeding to maintain a healthy farming environment.
4. Application of Fertilizer and Chemicals: The correct and timely application of fertilizers and agrochemicals for optimal cocoa growth and disease prevention.
also read: Check Out The New Prices Of Cocoa For The 2023/2024 Season (ghanaeducation.org)
CEO’s Advice
Joseph Boahen Aidoo, the Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD, addressed the farmers during the workshop. He urged them to embrace modern agronomic practices to achieve higher cocoa yields and increased income.
Aidoo acknowledged the workshop’s significance, particularly the opportunity it provided for hands-on education and the exchange of knowledge regarding pollination, pruning, and the avoidance of unapproved agrochemicals that could harm cocoa trees.
Positive Outcomes and Future Prospects
The sensitization workshop left participants motivated and enlightened about the potential for increased yields and incomes through the adoption of approved agricultural practices. The event also served as a platform for farmers to voice their concerns related to farm inputs and COCOBOD policies. Solutions were proposed and discussed to address these challenges and promote sustainable cocoa production.
In conclusion, the Paramount Chief of Tepa Traditional Area, Nana Adusei Atwenewa Ampem II, encouraged COCOBOD to continue organizing such workshops to empower cocoa farmers and enhance productivity.
He further appealed to the government to provide financial support to the youth interested in cocoa farming, a crucial step in ensuring the sustainability of the cocoa industry and replacing aging cocoa farmers.
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