2018 National Best Cocoa Farmer lauds reforms in cocoa sector

The 2018 National Best Cocoa Farmer, Charles Gyamfi has described the recent reforms undertaken by the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and its counterpart in Ivory Coast, such as agreeing on an additional four hundred dollars per tonne price for cocoa, as critical for boosting interest in Cocoa farming.

The two countries moved to ensure that the price paid for a tonne of cocoa beans does not go below US$2,600.

Also, cocoa farmers in both Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire will henceforth be entitled to a minimum of seventy percent of the agreed floor price.

Expressing his delight over the new reforms which include the setting up of a stabilization fund, Mr. Gyamfi said they will work with the government to ensure that more of such reforms are instituted to protect the livelihood of Cocoa farmers.

“Yes, we need more money but if we get this as a start it’s very good. If you don’t begin somewhere you will never end somewhere. You have to take it as a step, in fact, we all expected higher than this but I think this will be good for our farmers.

It’s very good for farmers because if you know that you are going to sell your cocoa price not less than GH¢600 per bag, I think you can do what you want with it even though we needed more but still it’s a good step by the government.” Mr. Gyamfi said.

Source: citibusinessnews.com