The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has officially relaunched its Free Fertiliser Distribution Programme as part of the government’s commitment to supporting cocoa farmers to improve farm productivity.
The initiative also seeks to ease the financial burden of purchasing fertiliser and improve farmers’ livelihoods.
Speaking at the launch in Sefwi-Wiawso, Dr Randy Abbey, Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD, directed officials of the Cocoa Health and Extension Division (CHED) to use technology to register farmers, eliminate favouritism, remove middlemen, and ensure fertilisers and other agricultural inputs reach cocoa farmers directly.
He expressed concern about the impact of the cocoa swollen shoot disease on cocoa production in the Western North Region, which had declined from an annual output of 340,000 metric tonnes to 140,000 metric tonnes.
He assured farmers that COCOBOD was aggressively mobilising substantial capital injections from development banks and private sector partners to rehabilitate diseased farms and restore farmers’ livelihoods.
The COCOBOD Chief Executive further announced that the Board was working to reintroduce tertiary scholarships for children of cocoa farmers, beginning with the 2027/2028 academic year.
Dr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, Board Chairman of COCOBOD, urged farmers to ensure that the fertilisers received were properly applied on their farms to improve soil fertility and increase cocoa yields.
He cautioned against the diversion of the fertiliser, saying enhanced tracking technology had been deployed to monitor distribution from warehouses to farms and ensure that the intended beneficiaries received the inputs.
Mr Wilbert Petty Brentum, the Western North Regional Minister, said COCOBOD’s decision to relaunch the programme in the region underscored the government’s continued commitment to revitalising the cocoa sector, improving productivity and enhancing the livelihoods of cocoa farmers.
He commended farmers for demonstrating resilience and determination in sustaining the cocoa industry despite the adverse effects of the cocoa swollen shoot disease and other farm-related diseases.
Mr Brentum further called for the privatisation of the farm rehabilitation programme in the region, saying the move would provide the much-needed financial relief to farmers.
Nana Ofori Ahenkan II, Chief of Bonzain and Acting President of the Wiawso Traditional Council, who chaired the programme, said the dedication of cocoa farmers over the years had significantly contributed to strengthening Ghana’s cocoa production.
He emphasised that the free fertiliser distribution programme would not only secure the future of Ghana’s cocoa sector but also improve the livelihoods of cocoa farmers and their households.
He urged farmers to take full advantage of the programme, use the inputs as intended, and follow the recommended application guidelines to achieve the best results.
Some farmers interviewed by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) commended the government and COCOBOD for the initiative, saying it would help improve yields.
They also welcomed COCOBOD’s decision to introduce scholarships for their children in the next academic year, saying it would ease their financial burden.
By Alex Baah Boadi